By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Aug. 22, GNA – The Asogli State Council has launched the 2024 Asogli Te Za (Yam festival) celebrations.
The celebration has become one of Ghana’s well known annual traditional events, with the addition of innovative programmes such as an anti-corruption day and unique events for youth and women intensifying its appeal.
It would be held this year on the theme: “Lets ensure freedom and justice for all,” and the launch, held in Ho, was witnessed by traditional rulers and leaders of society in the Volta Regional Capital.
Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the reign of Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, and the festival was planned to celebrate his legacy.
Squadron Leader Evaristus Dagbe, who chairs the festival planning committee, said this year’s events would be decentralised to send programmes such as health screening and traditional rites to the various communities.
He commended the divisions of Asogli for promoting the annual festival, and said with continuous unity, it would sustain its role in the socio-economic development of the city and the Region as a whole.
“Let us come together to make the festival a resounding success,” the planning committee chair said.
The festival is scheduled to run from August to October and takes off with a health walk and screening on August 31.
A pilgrimage to the Notsie, the ancestral home of the people of Asogli, would follow from September 6 to 8, after which an expedition on the Galenku Mountain would be held.
Dedicated events for children and the aged, a permanent feature of the festival, would come off as usual.
A women’s day celebration would be held at the Ho Technical University on September 18, while the Anti-corruption day is scheduled for the day after at the forecourt of the Asogli Palace.
The exploration of the Adaklu Mountain comes off next, and then a series of purification rituals at the Palace, and a football gala.
The Ho Technical University would again host the youth empowerment and entrepreneurship day on September 24, which also is becoming a favourite feature of the festival.
The annual hailing of the new Yam, a heavily attended street carnival, comes off at sundown of September 27.
Asogli Marathon from Anyirawase to Ho will be on Saturday September 28.
The Summit of Ewe Chiefs from Ghana, Togo and Benin, one of new additions to the festival, would come off at the Volta Serene Hotel on October 3.
Togbe Afede would sit in the State to receive homage on October 4, and the best farmer of Asogli would be awarded.
A State dinner dance and awards would be held at the Assembly Hall of the Ola Senior High School on the same evening.
The grand durbar to climax the celebration is on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Ho Jubilee Park.
GNA