Mahama kneels to greet the Yagbonwura at the Hogbetsotso durbar

President John Dramani Mahama was captured kneeling to greet the Gonja overlord, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, as the traditional ruler arrived at Saturday’s grand durbar of the Hogbetsotso festival. The Gonja overlord attended the event as the Special Guest of Honour at the Anlo festival’s grand durbar, held in Anloga in the Volta Region.

A video of the moment, posted on Saturday afternoon, shows the President first bowing and then kneeling as the overlord arrived at the durbar grounds. The gesture drew attention as a mark of respect shown by the President to the visiting traditional leader.

Reports describe the occasion as the first time an Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom has attended the Hogbetsotso festival. The invitation, which was carried to Damongo in October, spoke of strengthening ties between the two kingdoms and did not describe the visit as a first.

Togbui Amey Zegu II, Dufia of Alakple, delivered the invitation to the Jakpa Palace on behalf of Togbi Sri III, Awoamefia of Anlo Dukor. The Yagbonwura accepted the invitation, noting that Gonjaland and Anlo share historical ties dating back centuries. He was scheduled to speak at the durbar.

According to Togbui Zegu, the durbar at Anloga would follow the Awoamefia’s sitting-in-state, with traditional displays by the states of Anlo Dukor and national dignitaries in attendance. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Anlo, Our Heritage and Our Values: Striving to Build One Ghana for a Better Tomorrow.”

Hogbetsotso Za, also known as Hogbeza, commemorates the escape of the Anlo-Ewe people from King Agorkorli I at Notsie, in present-day Togo. The festival is held annually on the first Saturday of November and serves as a significant cultural event for the Anlo-Ewe people, celebrating their history, heritage, and values.

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