BASIC schools in the 36 Anlo states of the Volta Region have celebrated their mini Hogbetsotso festival ahead of the main event scheduled for Saturday, November 7.
The celebration brought together pupils dressed in colourful traditional costumes, who showcased Anlo culture through drumming, dancing and dramatic performances depicting the historic escape of their ancestors from Notsie, in present-day Togo, to their present settlements.
The event was held on the theme: “Anlo: Our Heritage and Our Values, Striving to Build Ghana for a Better Tomorrow.”
In the Keta Urban area, six schools participated in the celebration. They were Anlo State School, Keta Roman Catholic Mixed and Girls Basic Schools, Vodza Basic School, Keta EP Basic School and Adzido M/A Basic School.
The ceremony was chaired by the Dufia of Keta, Togbi James Ocloo, with the Dufia of Abutia, Togbi Dr Kissi Avuablatsi, as the guest of honour. Mama Wii Amegashie III was the guest speaker.
Other chiefs and queen mothers also attended to support the pupils, whose performances attracted loud applause from parents and other spectators.
In his address, Togbi Avuablatsi commended the pupils for their enthusiasm in learning about and preserving the heritage of their forefathers, saying the responsibility of protecting that legacy for future generations now rested with them.
He urged the pupils to take their education seriously and acquire recognised qualifications, particularly in skills training, which he said was increasingly in demand globally.
He also appealed to parents to ensure that their children attended school regularly so they could grow into responsible citizens and become assets to their communities.
Togbi Avuablatsi commended teachers and the education directorate for their preparations for the celebration and pledged to organise counselling sessions for candidates sitting the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to help them prepare adequately.
For her part, Mama Amegashie III urged the youth, particularly young girls, to celebrate the main Hogbetsotso festival in moderation and avoid conduct that could jeopardise their future aspirations.
Togbi James Ocloo expressed concern about indiscipline in society and said the ancestors had instituted strong measures to discourage wayward behaviour.
He urged parents to work with law enforcement agencies to address the situation.
At the mini Hogbe celebration at Tegbi in the Anloga District, the Awoamefia of Anlo Dukor, Togbi Sri III, in a speech read on his behalf, urged pupils to respect their elders, remain disciplined and avoid social vices.
He also encouraged them to remain committed to their education, uphold their cultural values and refrain from violence, including sexual violence, against one another.
Togbi Sri III further urged the youth to celebrate the festival responsibly and in moderation, stressing the need for peace, love and unity.
He said Hogbetsotso should also be a period of sober reflection, renewed hope and commitment to the development of the Anlo State.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA AKPALU, KETA
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