KETA: Basic schools within the Anloland in the Volta Region have celebrated the Children’s Hogbetsotso festival at Keta-Dzelukope Roman Catholic (RC) Basic School in the Keta Municipality. The celebration was part of the scheduled activities for the 62nd edition of the Anlo Hogbetsotso festival, focusing on promoting children’s cultural heritage across Anloland.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Christine Seyram Tsikplornu, a planning committee member, highlighted the festival’s objective to teach and instill Anlo culture and traditions in the young generation. “This children’s festival is celebrated every year ahead of the main Hogbetsotso Za, and our prime objective is to teach the children and make them aware of the cultural heritage, including the norms of Anloland,” she emphasized.
The festival also involved training children in traditional drumming, music, dress codes, war songs, and other customs from various Clans in Anloland. Additionally, school children visited several recreational and touris
m sites, including ‘Togbi ?enya Vudo,’ Fort Prinzenstien, the lighthouse, and ‘Torkortorlia forest,’ to learn about their forefathers and colonial history.
Madam Tsikplornu expressed concern over financial challenges in preparing children for the festival and urged public support to enhance future celebrations. She commended Mr. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, the Member of Parliament for the Keta constituency, for his financial contributions towards the event.
Children participating in the event shared their joy and appreciation for the opportunity to experience and learn about the rich culture of Anloland. The theme for this year’s Hogbetsotso festival is ‘Strengthening the Bond and Embracing Our Shared Heritage.’
The Ghana News Agency also reported that additional activities are planned, including reconciliation events, a Hogbe exhibition and food fair, the Mama Hogbe Beauty Pageant, a Hogbe music festival, visits to historical sites, a Hogbetsotso health walk, and a state durbar by Togbi Sri III.
