The media campaign of this year’s Hogbetsotso Za of the people Anlo was launched at Tegbi in the Keta Municipality in the Volta Region last Thursday.
The celebration, which will be climaxed with a grand durbar in Anloga on Saturday, November 7, is on the theme: ‘’Anlo, Our Heritage and Our Values – Thriving to Build One Ghana for a Better Tomorrow.’’
In a speech read on his behalf at the launch, the Awadada of Anlo Dukor, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, said the Hogbetsotso festival was definitely one of the richest and culturally significant events on the African continent.
“Hogbetsotso is not just an occasion for drumming and dancing, but also a testament to human resilience, unity and liberty,” he said.
Exodus
The Awadada said Hogbetsotso also marked the historic exodus of the ancestors of the Ewes from the tyrannical rule of Togbi Agorkoli in Notsie in Togo to their current homeland.
This year, Togbi Awusu said, the focus of the celebration was on trumpeting the story of Anlo triumph, strategic courage and historical innovation to the world.
Touching on the theme, he said it was a deliberate reflection of the enduring relevance of Anlo history, culture and traditional values to contemporary Ghana.
“Ultimately, the theme challenges the Anlo community, particularly its youth and leadership, to draw strength from the past, uphold cherished values in the present, and work collectively towards a peaceful, united and prosperous Ghana for generations yet unborn,” Togbi Awusu added.
He said Ghana today stood before steep economic walls, and that this year’s Hogbetsotso would serve as a national platform to inspire a mindset shift.
“We want to highlight how cultural discipline, local economic empowerment and traditional accountability can contribute to the urgent national agenda of resetting Ghana’s economy” Togbi Awusu maintained.
Media
He urged the media to look beyond the colours of the kente and rhythms of the Agbadza dance to highlight the economic opportunities within Anlo Dukor.
“Tell the stories of our fishermen, shallot farmers, hospitality practitioners, coastal vulnerabilities and climate change.
“Let your reportage drive domestic tourism and investment into the region,” Togbe Awusu said.
A member of the festival planning committee, Siegfried Vilawoe Kwabla Sedziafa, said the celebration provided an opportunity for the Anlo people to reflect on the values that had sustained their identity across generations.
He saird those values invariably were unity, resilience, courage, discipline, communal responsibility, respect for tradition and peaceful coexistence.
