By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Keta/Anloga (VR), Sept 27, GNA-Businesses in Keta and Anloga district in the Volta Region, are buzzing with anticipation as the much more awaited and highly anticipated 2025 Hogbetsotso festival approaches.
The annual festival scheduled for the first Saturday of November every year has promised to draw thousands of visitors, tourists, among others were expected to boost the local businesses and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Anlo people.
Mr. Paul Mensah Dzilah, a local entrepreneur, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressed optimism about the economic windfall the festival would bring which could basically improve the local businesses for improvement.
“With visitors expected to visit Keta and Anloga, the traditional capital of the Anlo State, we expect nothing but booming sales in traditional crafts, clothing, food, and hospitality services,” he said.
He explained that the influx of tourists from various destinations to the area would also presents opportunities for local artisans to showcase and sell their products while their talent and skills could create life changing opportunities for them.
He said that the Hogbetsotso festival commemorates the Anlo people’s historic exodus from Notsie, in present-day Togo, under the tyrannical rule of King Agorkoli.
The vibrant celebration, blended with social, cultural, and traditional events, including the iconic Agbadza dance, reconciliation rituals, and purification ceremonies demonstrate the rich culture observation for tourists and visitors.
Mr. Dzilah said “Hogbetsotso attracts dignitaries and tourists nationwide and internationally, promoting Ghana’s cultural richness.
Past festivals have drawn notable figures like former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, among others that boost our unique culture heritage.”
He said businesses such as restaurants, hotels, beaches, boutiques, drinking spots, and others were expected to witness high number of customers during the period.
Madam Charity Nyagorme, a restaurant operator at Anloga Avume, expressed disappointment about last year’s sales and anticipated that the 2025 edition would attract more citizens to provide a fruitful and smooth flow of businesses.
She lamented that the immediate edition of the festival was crippled by presidential and parliamentary election campaigns, characterised with higher tension which affected the output and income level of the festival.
She urged all citizens of Anloland, individuals, corporate organisations, business personnel, and others to patronise and attend the festival in their numbers and transact better businesses to improve the economy of the area.
The GNA gathered that the Hogbetsotso festival features a grand durbar at the Hogbe Park in Anloga, where chiefs don colourful regalia and receive homage while other activities such as sports competitions, pageants, music festivals, and the Children’s Hogbe, engaging young ones in cultural heritage foster unity and celebration of Anlo traditions.
Some major Anlo towns that usually participate in the festival include Keta, Anloga, Kedzi, Vodza, Whuti, Srogboe, Tegbi, Dzita, Abor, and Anlo- Afiadenyigba, Havedzi, Agorbledokui, and other communities that engage in preparations to ensure the festival showcases their proud heritage.
It was also noted that Togbi Sri III, the (Overlord) Awoamefia of Anlo State, has previously advocated for progress in sectors such as fisheries, tourism, agriculture, roads, sports and transformative projects in aquaculture and rice production to boost the economic growth and job creation.
Pre-festival peace-making ceremonies to resolve disputes and reconciliation was one important event that prioritise unity, togetherness, and harmonious living for collaboration work for the progress of Anloland.
The GNA also observed that various organisers and local authorities were finalizing arrangements for a memorable celebration while the launching of the festival was previously held at Ohawu in the Ketu South Municipality.
Other announcements, including a ban on noise making across the 36 States of Anloland, have since been announced to pave the way for some other important rituals to be performed for a successful festival.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah