Last Saturday around 800 Ewe and friends celebrated Hogbetsotso at the Tottenham Green Leisure Centre in Tottenham, London. This celebration of the Exodus from Notsie is only one of many events that Noviha (UK) takes as an opportunity not only to celebrate their wealth of culture and tradition but also to raise funds for projects in the Volta Region.
While President Kufour calls on all Ghanaians to return to their motherland and contribute to its economical growth, members and friends of Noviha (UK) with branches all over the world, are doing their bit for Ghana’s growth away from home. Noviha (UK) was founded 20 years ago with the aim to help and support their brothers and sisters who leave Ghana to find education and work abroad, in whatever way possible; but not only that, they also promote and maintain the Ewe culture and traditions, so that young people who live abroad do not lose touch with their roots.
The walls of the Leisure Centre are resounding from the beat of the drums, the decoration perfectly compliments the colourful mixture of traditional dress and there is an air of anticipation in the hall. The final preparations to cater for the 800 people expected to fill the seats over the course of the evening are in full flow and I am eagerly awaiting the start of the programme, which promises a variety and multitude of displays, talks, dance and of course food. And for the first time a delegation from Amsterdam has made their way across the channel to enjoy the Hogbetsotso in London.
With the celebration of Hogbetsotso at its core, this event is a fund raiser for the implementation of community health planning services (CNPS) in Bleamezado in the Keta district of the Volta Region.
At 8pm the procession starts and to the sound of drums and singing, of the Adzido group, the honoured guests make their way into the hall. Togbui Akumey-Geli Adjorlolo III, the Queen and Queen mother, the president of Noviha, Mr BBK Ayivor and the outgoing High Commissioner Chris Kpodo make their way to the high table in their impressive colourful attire. Once everybody is seated, the programme starts. After the welcoming speech by Mr Ayivor, the opening prayer and a short pouring of Libation, Mrs Gbewonyo tells those of us who don’t know, the story behind Hogbetsotso. And after Togbui Sri’s words of wisdom the drums start working their magic again as more and more people arrive to join in the celebration; friends and guest, young and old follow the calling onto the dance floor and join in the Agbadza.
Later, during his short but poignant speech Togbui Akume Geli Adjorlolo III draws our attention to the state of education in the Volta Region and encourages all of us to make a small contribution towards a better educational system in the region. One third of young people in his village drop out of school as they cannot pay the school fees.
As the programme draws to an end the MCs Miss Grace Deyegbe and Mr Dela Doe are again inviting us onto the dance floor. Having worked up an appetite, the Ghanaian hospitality once again exceeds expectations and chin chin, jolloff, chicken, fish and prawns is more than enough to give us sustenance for the next round.
With our bodies and soul provided for it is our time to give. As each table wants to outdo the other, the average donation is ?50 and together with the proceeds of an auction ?1,593.38 are raised for Bleamezado in the Volta Region.
