Ho Asogli outlines programme for Yam Festival

Ho, Sept. 7, GNA - The annual Yam Festival of the Chiefs and people of the Asogli State is to be transformed into a period of cultural and economic renaissance of the area, a detailed programme of activities for the 2005 celebrations has indicated.

The programme which was released to the media from the office of Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia, outlines a fusion of the rituals of cleansing and fortification of the spiritual realm of the area, trade fairs for the exhibition of locally made artefact and the promotion of specific development projects.

This year's festival, which will be celebrated on the theme: "Attitudinal Change: An Important Prerequisite for Prosperity," will come begin from September 18 to October 2.

Innovations in the programme include a folkloric time during which traditional dance and music, laced with stories, exposition of Ewe proverbs, parables and poetry recitals will be held in all towns in the state "to portray the cultural traditions of the people of Asogli".

The programme said the folkloric time is also "aimed at reviving these cultural practices and unearthing individual and group talents".

A cooking contest is also listed on the programme to exhibit traditional cuisines and to show the skills of women in the area in the preparations of 'quick-fixed' but palatable and nutritionally balanced foods, "as against the now common junk street side delicacies."

The programme said the Trade Exhibition dubbed "Voltaxpo" to be organized by Mic-D Ventures to "highlight the business opportunities in the Volta Region" aims at inspiring the youth to "pursue self employment instead of migrating to the urban areas in search of non-existing white-collar jobs".

The mini-durbar, which is rotated among three towns in the Asogli State, would this year take place at Akoefe, which is a few kilometres from Ho on the Ho-Nyive-Shia road.