Winneba

History

From pre-colonial times through the establishment of the British colony the Gold Coast, (Effutu) Winneba served as a port town. Fort Winneba was built here.

The people of Winneba (Efutu) were led by their fearless spiritual leader and warrior, Kwamena Gyarteh Ayirebi-Gyan with the support of a large youthful militia called the Asafo Groups made up of both men and women. He ensured that his people were well protected from external attacks by other migrating families, clans, diseases or want of food.

Industry and culture

The main industries of Winneba are fishing and services. Winneba is known for the Aboakyer deer-hunting festival in and its New Year fancy dress carnival/masquerading festival. The town has a rich musical tradition and currently boasts of several renowned musical groups in the country, including the Winneba Youth Choir, the Osimpam Ompeh group, and the Akoo show Choir.

Education

Winneba Senior High School is the only major public secondary cycle educational institute available in this town.

The University of Education, Winneba has its three main campus in Winneba (South Campus, Central Campus, and North Campus).

Festivals

Main article: Fancy Dress Festival

Masquerade festival, popularly known as fancy dress, is held every new year among the people of Winneba. Its attracts a large number of tourists from around the world. It is the second most popular festival in Winneba. The festival is held in a football park at the North campus of the University of Education, Winneba by the five main masquerade groups. They come together and compete amongst themselves to select the winner for the trophy. These groups consist of Nobles as number one, Egya as number two, Tumus as number three and Red Cross as number four and Royals as number 5.

Main article: Aboakyer festival

Aboakyer festival is a bushbuck hunting festival celebrated by the people of Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. The name Aboakyer translates as 'hunting for game or animal in Fante dialect as spoken by the people of the Central region. The institution of the festival was to commemorate the migration of the Simpafo (the aboriginal name of the people of Winneba).

The Aboakyer Festival is being celebrated by the people of Effutu, who were among the earliest settlers of Ghana, for an uncountable number of years. It sprang up when the Effutu people departed from Western Sudan and journeyed to the present town of Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. They came with their god, known as Penkye Otu.

Neighborhoods

Winneba has a number of neighborhoods stretching from coastal areas to non-coastal areas. It also includes rural areas which provide farm power aside from the fishing activity employed by the inhabitants of the coasts. Below are some of the well-known neighborhoods of Winneba.

Urban areas

• Winneba Junction
• Lowcost
• Yepemso
• Nkwantanan
• Kundum
• Abasraba
• Girls-Ase
• Kojo-Beedu
• Gyatakrom
• Central Campus
• North Campus
• South Campus
• Zongo
• Sankor
• Water-works
• Sekegyano
• Town Hall

Rural areas

• Essuekyir
• Woarabeba
• Gyaahadze
• Osubonpanyin
• Ateitu
• Atakyedo
• Gyangyanadze
• Kookrom

Climate

Retrieved 21 June 2013.

Sister cities

List of sister cities of Winneba, designated by Sister Cities International:

Personalities

• Alex Quaison-Sackey, Ghanaian diplomat
• Mike Hammah, Former member of parliament for Effutu Municipal
• Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, a current member of parliament for Effutu Municipal
• Kojo Botsio, Ghanaian politician
• Jacob Plange-Rhule, physician and academic
• Sandra "Alexandrina" Don-Arthur, professional makeup artist and Vlogger

Notable Institutions

• University of Education, Winneba
• Winneba Community Nursing Training College
• Perez University College
• Winneba Senior High School
• Winneba School of Business
• Winneba Vocational Training Institute
• Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital
• Winneba Fire Station
• nyce fm
• osimpam fm
• Radio peace
• Radio Windibay

References

References

1. "World Gazetteer online". World-gazetteer.com.
2. "Central Region". Ghana Embassy in Japan.
3. Kwesi Ewusi Brown, [http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?bgsu1124803078 "Social Conflicts in Contemporary Effutu Festivals"], 2005, Masters Thesis for Bowling Green State University, advisor Steven Cornelius, p. 1
4. Brown, 2005, pp. 2-3
5. "Parliament of Ghana".
6. "EFUTU MP COMMISSIONS FIVE PROJECTS TO FOSTER DEVELOPMENT – Effutu Municipal Assembly".
7. Brown (2005), p. 1
8. "Founding of Simpa".
9. Brown, 2005, p. 3
10. "Masquerade Festival at Winneba - MyJoyOnline.com".
11. "Aboakyer Festival".
12. "Aboakyer Festival".
13. (n.d.). "Ghanam Birmingham". birminghamsistercities.com.
14. Tasha Kates. (November 15, 2009). "Residents chime in on city clock designs". [[The Daily Progress]].
15. [http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/clerk/ma/agenda.2010-08-06.7648126958 Under Resolution]
16. "Home".
17. "About Perez University College – Perez University College".
18. Agboklu, George. "One dead, two in critical condition in accident at Gomoa-Okyereko".
19. (2021-04-17). "Land guards meet their match at Fetteh as one sustains gunshot to the neck - MyJoyOnline.com".
20. "Firemen rescue accident victims at Gomoa Bewadze, one dead".