Winneba

Winneba, known in Fante as Simpa, is a fishing and university town on the Central Region coast, and it is best known across Ghana for Aboakyer, held on the first Saturday of May. The two asafo companies of the town, distinguished by their colours, go out to the bush at dawn and compete to be first to catch a live bushbuck with bare hands and bring it back to the chief for sacrifice, and the day carries drumming, flag dancing, processions and an enormous crowd. Outside the festival the town is quiet, with a fishing beach, a long stretch of sand, the asafo company posts painted with their emblems, and the University of Education campus.

History

From pre-colonial times into the British Gold Coast, Winneba, home of the Effutu, served as a port town, and Fort Winneba was built here. Its people were led by the spiritual leader and warrior Kwamena Gyarteh Ayirebi-Gyan, backed by the asafo companies, a large youthful militia of men and women, who protected the town against outside attack, disease and want (Wikipedia, Winneba).

What's there

• The Aboakyer festival - the asafo companies, the hunt and the procession.
• Asafo posts - the painted company shrines around the town.
• The fishing beach - canoes and the landing at the shore.
• The town - the Fante coastal settlement outside festival days.

When to go

The first Saturday in May is Aboakyer and the reason most visitors come; accommodation fills well in advance. Outside it, November to March is the driest and easiest travel period. The town is quiet the rest of the year.

What to expect

The festival involves the capture and sacrifice of a live antelope, which some visitors will not want to witness. Crowds at Aboakyer are dense and disorganised. Outside the festival there is little to see. Accommodation in town is basic.

Nearby

Senya Beraku, Kokrobite and Accra are all east.

Key facts