Odwira at 200: behind the scenes of a festival shoot in Akuapem

In 2026 the people of Akuapem marked 200 years of Odwira. The festival marks the new yam harvest and remembers the 1826 victory at Katamanso, fought near Dodowa. The theme for the bicentennial was "200 Years of Odwira: Honouring Our Heritage, Securing Our Future".

The Okuapehene, Oseadeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, called for unity during the celebrations at Akropong. The Cadsy Brown team was there with cameras for much of it.

What we covered

• The Akuapemhene's tour of the stool houses
• The arrival of the Okyenhene at the Okuapemhene's palace
• The Okuapemhene sitting in state
• The Grand Durbar, with drums, palanquins and the abrafo's tree climb
• Durbars and chiefs' arrivals at Aburi
• The Odwira Street Carnival at Ahwerase, with CBE talent on stage

How we shoot a festival

A durbar doesn't wait for you. Here's how our crew works on a day like this:

• Scout the night before. Know where the chiefs enter, where the light falls, and where the crowd will build.
• Split the crew. One camera stays wide for the record; one moves close for faces and detail.
• Respect protocol. Ask before you step forward, and never block elders or the stool.
• Shoot for same-night posting. A short teaser goes out that evening while people are still talking about it.
• Keep the archive. Every clip is logged, because footage like this matters for years.

Odwira yɛ amammerɛ. Odwira is tradition. 200 years on, the heritage lives on.

Need your festival covered?

We cover festivals, durbars, launches and concerts across Greater Accra and the Eastern Region, from same-night teasers to a full aftermovie.