The Ogun Indigene Forum Ghana Chapter, in collaboration with the Ogun State Society in Kumasi, hosted a media launch on Friday, August 16, 2024 to kickstart preparations for their annual Ogun Day Festival. The event, scheduled to take place in Kumasi, aims to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ogun State and promises a wide array of activities for all attendees. The media launch was organized to create awareness and generate excitement about the upcoming festival.

In his welcome address, the Regional Chairman, Alhaji Tawheed Oladele, warmly greeted all guests and emphasized the significance of the event, which serves as a major cultural celebration for the Ogun State community in Ghana. The patron of the association, Alhaji Mustapha Daud followed with an eloquent speech in which he shared the organization’s rich history. He recounted his experiences since joining the community in the 1960s as a young man and highlighted the growth and development of the Ogun State Indigenous Association in Ghana, particularly in Kumasi. Alhaji Mustapha also noted the organization's recent expansion to Accra and other regions, a testament to its enduring legacy.

The National President, Hon. Bola Akinsanya, expressed deep appreciation for the contributions of the founding fathers of the association. He praised their vision, resilience, and the strong foundation they built, which has enabled the current generation to thrive. Hon. Akinsanya took the opportunity to extol the exceptional qualities of the people of Ogun State, noting their significant contributions to Nigeria’s development in areas such as governance, education, and business, both during the pre and post-colonial periods.

He went on to elaborate on the purpose of the Ogun Day Festival, comparing it to internationally renowned festivals and carnivals. Drawing a parallel to the globally recognized Ojude Oba Festival, he shared the ambition of replicating a similar level of success in Ghana. According to Hon. Akinsanya, the Ogun Day Festival aims to celebrate the unique culture and heritage of Ogun State and will be an event filled with intrigue, entertainment, and cultural displays. The festival is expected to attract guests from different parts of the world. Additionally, the forum plans to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and unity of the Ogun State community.

The Vice President, Alhaji Hakeem Faisal, also addressed the gathering, expressing his gratitude to the guests and commending the planning committee for their dedication and hard work. He announced that this year’s Ogun Day Festival will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2024, in Kumasi. The four-day event will commence with Friday prayers at the mosque, followed by a keep-fit session on Saturday morning, and culminate in the main event on Sunday, featuring a series of exciting programs.

In a show of solidarity, the President of the Igbo community in Ashanti and also the President of the All Nigerian Congress (ANC) Ashanti branch, spoke briefly at the launch. He commended the Ogun Indigene Forum for their commendable efforts in promoting their culture in Ghana and expressed the willingness of the Igbo community to participate and display their own cultural heritage in support of the Ogun Day Festival, should they be invited.

The Ogun Day Festival is set to be a grand celebration of the cultural heritage of Ogun State, and the collaboration between the Ogun Indigene Forum Ghana Chapter and the Ogun State Society in Kumasi promises to make it a memorable event.