Thousands of young people, from Afife and surrounding communities thronged the Afife Park to witness the third edition of the Edem Agbana Carnival, held in the Ketu North Municipality as part of the Christmas activities.
The 2025 end-of-year carnival, organised by Eric Edem Agbana, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, marked three years of its establishment, following its successful debut at Dzodze and a subsequent edition at Penyi.
The event featured an impressive lineup of more than 40 local and national artistes, including music legends and rising stars such as Edem, Keeny Ice, Agbeshi, JJ Gonami, Jah Phinga, Chief One, Kpese Boi and several others.
Their performances kept the large crowd energised throughout the night, transforming Afife into a hub of music, dance and celebration.
Addressing the gathering, Agbana expressed his deep appreciation to the chiefs, elders and other prominent members of the constituency for their continuous support, which he said had contributed to the steady growth of the carnival over the years.
He paid glowing tribute to the late Kofi Wayo, a resident, describing him as the brain behind the initiative and acknowledging his vision in laying the foundation for the carnival.
Agbana explained that he introduced the carnival in 2023 after recognising the abundance of musical and artistic talent within the constituency that lacked support and exposure.
He noted that with a little encouragement and opportunity, local talents could rise to national and continental prominence.
According to him, the maiden edition of the carnival resulted in several collaborations between local artistes and established national acts, helping to elevate some young musicians.
He said the second edition identified promising talents such as Real Keddy and Nature Drip, whose studio recording fees he personally sponsored after handing them over to Edem for mentorship and grooming.
The MP expressed optimism that the third edition would also unearth new talents and acknowledged the dedication and contributions of Jonila, Elorm Binny and Edem for their consistent support in nurturing young creatives and promoting music in the constituency and the Volta at large.
Edem, after delivering more than an hour electrifying performance, expressed gratitude to Agbana for his unwavering commitment to talent development.
He pledged to continue supporting the MP’s efforts by mentoring and grooming young artistes from the region to reach higher heights in the music industry.
Some patrons who spoke to the Ghana News Agency described the carnival as unprecedented in scale and attendance.
Saviour Gavi, popularly known as Lexicon, who travelled from Agbozume with his crew, commended the MP for consistently creating platforms that brought joy to both the youth and the elderly.
“I don’t know any leader like him. Whatever brings happiness to the people, sports, entertainment, education or health, he is always there. We need more leaders like him in the region,” he said.
The Edem Agbana Carnival is an annual cultural and artistic celebration held in the Volta region, particularly within the Ketu North Municipal.
Launched three years ago at Dzodze Dzesime, the carnival was conceived as a flagship end-of-year event to showcase local talent, music, culture and community pride.
By 2025, the carnival had evolved into a major regional attraction, held every December 26 in communities such as Afife and Penyi, featuring street parades, music, dance, food and cultural displays.
The event has become a vital platform for artistic expression, youth empowerment and community cohesion, cementing its place as a cultural highlight in the Volta region’s festive calendar.
