The Effutu Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting Thursday with leaders from all five masquerade groups ahead of the January 2026 festival, aiming to prevent tensions that have periodically marred the celebrated cultural event.
The gathering at the Municipal Assembly Hall brought together security chiefs and leadership from Nobles, Egyaa, Tumus, Red Cross, and Royals along with representatives from the Federation of Masqueraders. Officials described the session as a proactive, confidence building dialogue designed to address longstanding rivalries among groups that have occasionally sparked incidents during past celebrations.
The Winneba Masquerade Festival, locally known as Kakamotobi or Fancy Dress, draws thousands of visitors annually to witness elaborate costume displays and brass band performances that trace their roots to colonial era traditions. Leaders from each group presented detailed reports outlining past challenges and offered proposals to strengthen coordination, security arrangements, and festival logistics ranging from crowd control measures to procession routes and costume display schedules.
Municipal Chief Executive Reverend Atta Mensah applauded participants for embracing dialogue and warned against retaliatory acts over previous grievances. He emphasized that the security council possesses full authority to temporarily halt the festival if intelligence indicates looming threats or activities likely to destabilize the municipality.
The executive cautioned groups to guard against infiltration by partisan politics, noting that political polarization could undermine the authenticity of the festival. In a statement that drew applause, Reverend Mensah confirmed no group will be barred from participating in the upcoming celebration, reversing a controversial decision made several years earlier. He reminded attendees of Winneba’s reputation as the home of masquerading, whose traditions have inspired similar festivals locally and internationally.
Divisional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Opoku Ibrahim assured participants his service stands ready to provide robust security throughout the festive period. He stated officers are fully prepared operationally and logistically to ensure safety for residents, visitors, and all participating groups. The commander urged groups to choose the path of peace, stressing that unity allows the festival’s splendor to shine through most effectively.
Discussions covered disciplinary measures for misconduct, with all five groups pledging to work collectively with MUSEC and security agencies to promote peace before, during, and after the festivities. Participants openly expressed concerns, aspirations, and expectations in what many described as one of the most transparent consultations in recent years.
The festival typically takes place on New Year’s Day, though scheduling can shift when January 1 falls on certain days of the week. Groups compete in categories including march past, slow dance, highlife, and fast dance, with each masquerade troupe displaying carefully choreographed performances backed by brass bands playing traditional songs and popular music.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the 2026 festival will mark a new chapter of unity and discipline among the masquerade groups. With strengthened communication channels and security agencies on high alert, Effutu aims to host one of the most vibrant and peaceful celebrations in recent memory while showcasing both its cultural heritage and capacity for collaborative development to visitors from around the world.
MCE Cautions Against Retaliation, Warns of Possible Sanctions
HON. REV. ATTA MENSAH (MIDDLE) FLANKED BY THE MUNICIPAL POLICE COMMANDER, ACP OPKU IBRAHIM(RIGHT) & MUNICIPAL COORDINATING DIRECTOR, MR. MAJEED AYARIGA(LEFT)
Addressing the gathering, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah, applauded the groups for embracing dialogue and urged them to resist any temptation to engage in retaliatory acts over past grievances.
“The security of Effutu is paramount,” he stressed. “We will not allow the actions of a few individuals to undermine the peace we all enjoy.”
He emphasized that the Municipal Security Council is fully empowered to place a temporary halt on the festival should intelligence point to looming threats or activities likely to destabilize the municipality.
“Anyone, whether an individual or a group who breaks the law will be dealt with accordingly,” the MCE warned.
The MCE also advised the groups to guard against the infiltration of partisan politics, noting that political polarization has the potential to sow division and mar the beauty and authenticity of the festival.
In a statement that drew applause from attendees, Rev. Atta Mensah reaffirmed that no group will be barred from participating in the upcoming festival, a departure from a controversial decision made several years ago.
He further reminded the groups of Winneba’s enviable reputation as the home of masquerading, whose rich traditions have inspired similar festivals both locally and internationally.
Police Assure Maximum Security
ONE OF THE SERVICE COMMANDERS EXPLAINING ISSUES TO THE STAKEHOLDERS
The Divisional Police Commander, ACP Opoku Ibrahim, assured the groups of the Police Service’s readiness to provide robust security throughout the festive period.
“We are fully prepared operationally and logistically to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and all participating groups,” he stated.
He urged the groups to choose the path of peace, stressing that the splendor of the festival is best seen when unity prevails.
A Renewed Spirit of Unity
By the end of the meeting, stakeholders expressed optimism that the 2026 festival would mark a new chapter of unity and discipline among the masquerade groups. With renewed commitments, strengthened communication channels, and security agencies on high alert, Effutu looks set to host one of the most vibrant and peaceful masquerade festivals in recent memory.
As Winneba prepares to welcome revelers, tourists, and investors from across the world, the municipality aims to showcase not only its cultural brilliance but also its capacity for harmony and collaborative development.
STORY BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE
PICTURE CREDIT: JUDITH OCRAN
ISD- EFFUTU MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY
