The leadership of the Bassare Youth Association (BAYA) has inaugurated its 2026 National Congress with a call on its youth and stakeholders to unite around their shared heritage, culture and common aspirations to promote the development of their communities.
The four-day congress, scheduled for September 18 to 21, 2026, in Kpandai, is expected to attract thousands of Bassare people from across Ghana as well as neighbouring Togo and Nigeria.
The congress, under the vision, “One People, One Heritage, One Culture,” will provide a platform for members to reconnect with their roots, strengthen relationships, promote cultural preservation and deliberate on issues affecting the socio-economic development of the Bassare people.
Mr Seth Nyantakyi Baalah, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of BAYA, called on Bassare youth across the country to participate actively in the congress, stressing that the event belonged to the entire Bassare community.
He urged the youth to attend in their numbers and contribute meaningfully to discussions and activities aimed at strengthening unity, preserving cultural heritage and advancing community development.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Baalah said the inauguration marked an important step in mobilising the various structures of the Association and working closely with the local organising committee to ensure adequate preparations for the expected influx of participants.
Mr Toni J.C. Bakawu, National Secretary of BAYA, said knowledge of one’s heritage was crucial to preserving cultural identity, particularly at a time when globalisation, technology and changing lifestyles were increasingly influencing younger generations.
Addressing members of the local organising committee, including chiefs, their secretaries, linguists and other stakeholders at the launch in Kpandai, Mr Bakawu said the congress programme had been carefully designed to combine youth engagement, cultural education, entertainment and community interaction.
He said activities would begin with the arrival of participants and continue throughout the congress, creating opportunities for members to interact, share experiences and deepen their appreciation of Bassare culture.
Activities lined up for the congress include a football gala involving teams from various Bassare communities, musical performances by Bassare artistes and a series of traditional cultural displays.
According to Mr Bakawu, traditional performances would include the fire dance, cutlass displays by young men and the Googo dance, among others.
He said the Googo dance would also form part of the cultural procession to escort Bassare paramount chiefs from their residences to the durbar grounds.
The organisers expressed optimism that the congress would strengthen unity among Bassare communities and reinforce efforts to preserve their rich cultural heritage for future generations.
GNA
