Anlos round off Hogbetsotso with grand durbar

This year’s Hogbetsotso Za of the people of Anlo was climaxed with a grand durbar at Anloga last Saturday  amid pomp and cultural exposition, with the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as the guest of honour.

The celebration, on the theme: “Strengthening bonds and embracing our shared heritage” brought together people from all the 36 Anlo communities and chiefs from other parts of the country and neighbouring Togo.

It was a colourful durbar as citizens, both home and abroad, actively participated in activities to mark the week-long celebration.

President Akufo-Addo, in his message, bid an emotional farewell to Ghanaians and thanked them for their support and confidence reposed in him during his eight-year tenure of office.

He gave an assurance that the forthcoming general election would be free, fair, transparent and peaceful, with the adequate measures put in place to ensure a smooth electoral process.

“I will leave office as the President as required by the Constitution and I will hand over the baton to whoever the people of Ghana chooses to lead them,” Nana Akufo-Addo affirmed.

President Akufo-Addo said the love and counsel from Ghanaians was highly beneficial to his government.

He commended the Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbe Sri III, for his good and exemplary leadership which, the President said, had helped to consolidate the peace in Anlo over the years.

Touching on the theme, Nana Akufo-Addo commended the people of Anlo for preserving their rich culture and traditions, saying those values were truly a heritage of pride for their children and generations yet unborn.

Peace, progress

The Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbi Sri III, entreated the people to continue to leave in peace in the countdown to the elections and perform their civic duty in a spirit of patriotism and love for one another.

Young women reliving the exodus of the Anlo people from Notsie

He said the elections should rather help to reunite Ghanaians and not to divide them.

“We need peace and unity all the time to develop,” Togbi Sri added.

The Awoamefia reminded the government of the pending Keta Harbour, the protection of the Anlo coastline, and dredging of Keta Lagoon projects, saying they were key concerns to the people.

Togbi Sri urged corporate bodies and individuals to take advantage of the peace in Anlo and explore business opportunities in the area to help to create wealth.

He announced plans to elevate some notable towns in Anlo to paramount status to enhance the decentralisation and administration of chieftaincy.
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Awadada

The Warlord of Anlo, Awadada Agbesi Awusu II, earlier said Hogbetsotso was an occasion to renew the bond of unity among the people and plan for the future.

In recent times, he said, chiefs from various parts of the country had taken part in the celebration, and that testified to the national cohesion and networking characteristic of Hogbetsotso.

Awadada Agbesi Awusu added his voice to the call on Ghanaians to avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections.

Among the special guests at the durbar were the New Juabenhene, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, and Omanhene of Oguaa of and President of the Oguaa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II.

They were unanimous in their call on Ghanaians to cherish their country and national identity before anything else.

There were also chiefs and queens from neighbouring Togo.