Court dismisses motion to stop celebration of Hogbetsotso

Ho, Nov 02, GNA - A Ho High court Presided over by Justice K.K. Yanney on Wednesday dismissed an ex-parte motion for an order to stop the celebration of the Anlo Hogbetsotso Festival scheduled for Nov 5. The Judge awarded 3 million cedis cost against the plaintiffs. Mr Chris Arcmann-Ackummey, who said he was acting on behalf of the Anlo citizens, filed the writ on Oct 27 seeking the court to order Mr Francis Nyonyo Agboada said to be only a regent and two others to stop all preparations towards the celebration of the festival.

The statement of claim said celebration of the festival could compromise the current peace prevailing in the Anlo area. It said the defendants had no authority to organize the festival since it was only a duly nominated and installed Awomefia or his representative who could convene and oversee the Hogbetsotso festival and not any ordinary Anlo citizen.

Mr Justice Yanney said in his ruling that he thought there was no threat to the peace as reflected in the second statement of the Keta District Security Committee (DISEC), leaving plans for the celebration of the festival to the discretion of chiefs of the area. The judge said the court had no jurisdiction over the determination of the right of the defendants as chiefs or other wise to convene the festival since it was a chieftaincy issue.

Mr Arcmann-Acku mmey told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the hearing that he would appeal against the decision and possibly also file for a stay of execution.