Cape Coast is buzzing with excitement as the ancient city prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for this year’s Fetu Afahye, one of Ghana’s most colourful and celebrated festivals.

The festival, now in its 61st year, is a time to thank the gods for a successful year, seek blessings for the future, and bring families and communities together. But it’s also a grand celebration of culture, tradition, and fun — and the city is ready to shine.

A city transformed

From fresh road markings and clean markets to newly fixed streetlights, Cape Coast has received a complete facelift. The once dusty streets now glow at night, thanks in part to the donation of 100 streetlights by the MP for Cape Coast South, Kweku Ricketts Hagan.

Local businesses are gearing up too. Hotels such as Ridge Royal, Samritt, Capital Hill, Hacienda, Lush on the Coast and Matlat are filling up fast, while makeshift pubs and bars have begun springing up along the streets.

Market sellers are also proud of the city’s new look. “This place used to smell and look dirty, but see how everywhere is shining now. Even customers feel comfortable coming here to buy,” said Adwoa Amoah, a trader at Kotokuraba.

Bakatue opens the week

The celebrations began earlier this week with the Bakatue ritual at the Fosu Lagoon, where the Paramount Chief of Oguaa, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, cast his net three times to lift the annual ban on fishing. The ceremony, accompanied by libation and drumming, drew hundreds of locals and visitors.

Other traditional rites, including Akoms Night and sacrifices at the Papratem shrine, have also set the spiritual tone for the week-long festivities.

Orange Friday fever

Perhaps the most anticipated event of the week is Orange Friday, the street carnival that has turned the entire city into a sea of orange. From scarves and beads to T-shirts and fabrics, the colour dominates Cape Coast’s markets and streets.

“Orange Friday has become a tradition. Even people who say they won’t join eventually come for something orange,” laughed Efua Bentil, a market trader whose stock is almost sold out.

The grand climax

The festival will climax on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with a grand durbar at Victoria Park. Chiefs and queens, led by Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, will ride through the streets before converging at the durbar grounds for a spectacular display of culture, pageantry and tradition.

This year’s festival is expected to be even more memorable, with Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri (Delta State, Nigeria), and his queen, Olori Atuwatse III, joining the celebrations and addressing the Women Allying Women conference.

For now, Cape Coast is alive with colour, rhythm, and anticipation. And as the locals like to say, this week, all roads lead to Cape Coast.

Akwaaba to Fetu Afahye 2025!

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