Anlo Dukor and Mafi Traditional Councils celebrate Mini Hogbetsotso festival to strengthen unity and promote Ewe cultural heritage in Volta Region

The Anlo Dukor Council, in collaboration with the Mafi Traditional Council, has held a Mini Hogbetsotso festival at Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region, aimed at promoting unity among Ewe-speaking communities and preserving cultural heritage. The annual celebration, under the theme “Building Bridges: From Common History to a Common Destiny,” brought together traditional authorities, cultural groups, government officials, opinion leaders, and residents from across Anlo and Mafi.

Professor Ferdinand Makafui Ahiakpor, Chairman of the event, noted that the festival served as a platform to revive the spirit of togetherness among Ewes and promote collective socio-cultural and developmental goals. He urged all stakeholders to support initiatives that sustain unity and peace.

Togbe Agbesi Awusu II, the Awadada of Anlo representing the Awomefia, Togbe Sri III, praised the Mafi people for their hospitality and emphasized that the bond between the Anlo and Mafi communities must be protected for future generations. He highlighted that the Mini Hogbetsotso not only commemorates the historic escape from Notsie but also celebrates Ewe cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, cuisine, and symbols of identity. He cautioned against lingering chieftaincy disputes and called for culture to be used as a tool for conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence.

Togbe Buatri Asafo IV, Acting President of the Mafi Traditional Council, said the event affirmed kinship and mutual respect between the two traditional areas, while fostering opportunities for cultural exchange, trade, education, tourism, and community development.

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Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyemang V, Dufia of Adidome, added that the diversity of Ewe communities across traditional jurisdictions should be seen as a strategic asset for regional influence and development. He emphasized youth engagement in cultural programming to prevent erosion of indigenous values.

The festival drew attention from government representatives, including Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, who praised efforts to unify Ewe communities and urged chiefs to work collaboratively to strengthen traditional authority and drive regional development. Mr Alexander Roosevelt Hotordze, MP for Central Tongu, said the event would help overcome long-standing traditional boundaries that hinder developmental cooperation, emphasising unity as key to educational, agricultural, and economic advancement.

The celebration featured traditional drumming and dancing, cultural displays, performances by Asafo groups, and reaffirmation of inter-clan and inter-state ties, demonstrating the enduring spirit and cultural pride of the Ewe people.