Christmas In Taadi(Takoradi)-Ghana

I think at this point, all Ghanaians have agreed Christmas is Taadi and Taadi is Christmas.
Just as Kwahu(a city in Ghana) is the destination for Easter celebration and Accra(the capital town of Ghana) for Chale wote festival, so is Takoradi for Christmas.
Someone actually said in December, Takoradi is the capital town of Ghana which actually makes so much sense because majority of the country’s population is found in Takoradi during Christmas.As someone who was born and raised in Takoradi I always look forward to Christmas because Christmas never goes wrong in Takoradi.Takoradi is in the Western Region of Ghana.It actually is also a twin city; Sekondi-Takoradi.

Each and every year it gets better. Let me tell you certain facts you probably did not know about Christmas in Taadi.
There’s always a street carnival which we call the Ankos festival where masquerades troop around the whole of Sekondi-Takoradi in their respective clubs.

Preparations start in August/September. Yes! They put so much time into designing the masquerade costumes and are always sold out early. Another important thing is that every masquerade club makes its own design and at the end a winner is announced. Each year, the masquerade costumes are different, you can’t repeat last year or last two year’s costume for this year’s carnival.

As a stranger you might not really see the difference, but trust me there is always a big difference and even a five year old Takoradi kid can tell.There is also no age limit for joining a masquerade,even babies are seen being carried by their parents around the carnival.

The Ankos festival itself happens from 24th to 26th December and 1st to 2nd January, morning to midnight (no breaks).Also, everything is a competition. There are judges who watch everything the clubs do, from dancing to performances to masquerade costumes.It’s really go hard or go home.My favorite part about Ankos festival is when different clubs meet at a cross road and engage in dance battle(ankos dance) with important focus on their “brass bands”.It never gets old.

I did not really plan on spending Christmas in Taadi this year, but for the sake of everyone here, I’ll try and change my plans to be your eyes at the carnival so you experience what the famous Christmas in Taadi is about.If you were born and raised Takoradi, then no matter where you are in December, you will always miss Christmas in Taadi.Growing up, the old people used to say: You can take someone from Takoradi but you can’t take Takoradi from the person. I really understand and can relate now.As I am typing this, I’m already packing to go to Takoradi.
Hopefully I get there early to update everyone.
Thank you for your time.