Winneba, the Effutu Municipal Capital, was transformed into a sea of colour, rhythm and pageantry on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as thousands of revelers thronged the town for the Central Region’s most iconic cultural spectacle dubbed the Winneba Masquerade (Fancy Dress) Festival.
The annual festival, which has grown from a modest New Year celebration into an internationally admired cultural carnival, brought together people from far and near, including diasporans from the Winneba–Charlottesville Sister City in the United States of America. Local residents, expatriates and tourists, estimated at about 13,000 filled the Winneba Advance Park, creating an electric atmosphere brimming with creativity, excitement and cultural pride.
Renowned for its elaborate costumes and intricately crafted masks, the Fancy Dress Festival celebrates the ingenuity, history and artistic flair of the Effutu people. This year’s edition lived up to its billing, with five masquerade groups unveiling stunning visual displays that blended tradition with bold innovation.
HON. ATTA MENSAH-MCE (IN A HAT) WITH OSAHEN AFENYO-MARKIN (IN A GREEN SMOCK) INSPECTING THE PARADE
The event attracted a high-powered delegation of dignitaries, led by the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah. He was joined by the Effutu Member of Parliament and Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin; Member of Parliament for Gbawe, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaibu; and the Central Regional Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Dr. Richard Asiedu, among others.
Before the performances began, the Municipal Chief Executive, supported by Hon. Afenyo-Markin and other dignitaries, inspected the parade of masqueraders from all five groups, an exercise that set the tone for what would become a thrilling contest of artistry and endurance.
What started decades ago as a light-hearted way to usher in the New Year has now taken on the vibrancy and competitive spirit of global carnivals such as Mardi Gras. The five competing groups, Nobles No. 1, Egyaa No. 2, Tumuus No. 3, Red Cross No. 4, and Royals No. 5, each boast an average membership of about 100 performers. Preparations begin months in advance, with rehearsals starting as early as September and costume designs carefully selected from October.
TROPHIES ON DISPLAY
The festival continues to fuel the creative imagination of the people of Winneba, as each group strives annually to outdo the others with more eccentric costumes, imaginative themes and captivating choreography. Accompanied by lively brass bands, the masqueraders danced to renditions of traditional tunes, popular highlife numbers and, at times, Christian hymns, an eclectic soundtrack that resonated with the diverse audience.
After months of intense preparation, the groups took turns performing in batches across three dance categories; Slow Dance, Highlife and Fast Dance in a fierce battle for supremacy and the coveted ultimate prize.
At the climax of the competition, Red Cross No. 4 emerged victorious, earning the title of Best Performing Group for the 2026 edition. Nobles No. 1 followed closely in second place, while Royals No. 5 secured third position. Egyaa No. 2 placed fourth, with Tumuus No. 3 finishing fifth.
As the curtains fell on another successful edition, the Winneba Fancy Dress Festival once again reaffirmed its status as a crown jewel of Ghana’s cultural calendar, an enduring celebration of heritage, unity and creative expression that continues to place Winneba firmly on the global cultural map.
STORY BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE
PICTURE CREDIT: EMMANUEL AGOSU & PAA KWESI BUDU MENSAH
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