Chiefs appeal for cancellation of Hogbetsotso festival

Ho, Nov 02, GNA - Some chiefs and people of Anlo Traditional Area led by Mr Chris Arcmann-Ackummey, a legal practitioner, on Wednesday appealed to Mr Kofi Dzamesi, the Volta Regional Minister, to stop Mr Francis Nyonyo Agboada from organizing the Hogbetsotso festival on Saturday, Nov 05 to avoid disturbances in the area.

Mr Arcmann-Ackummey said the need for the cancellation of all plans for the festival had become necessary because majority of the chiefs and queen mothers of Anlo had objected to any celebration in the absence of the Awomefia who presides over the celebration.

He said the chiefs foresee chaos and bloodshed and had decided to inform the minister about the real situation at the ground for his quick action.

Mr Arcmann-Ackummey however said if the minister went ahead to honour any invitation to the festival they the chiefs and citizens of Anlo would advise themselves.

"We the Anlos will not allow anyone person to turn our culture upside down. We shall do everything within our means to stop any celebration".

Mr Arcmann-Ackummey therefore called on the minister to do everything to stop the celebration because it was not safe for anybody including himself.

''Those who are calling for the cancellation are more than the policemen that will be deployed there.''

Mr Steve Selormey, the Volta Regional Co-coordinating Director, on behalf of the Minister appealed to the chiefs and their subjects to exercise patience and promised to deliver the message to the Regional Minister later.

The chiefs and their supporters clad in red trooped to the Regional Coordinating Council to meet the minister after a Ho High Court dismissed an ex parte motion praying the court to put an injunction on the festival.