Hogbetsotso Zã 2025: A cultural melting pot of the Anlo people

The Hogbetsotso Zã 2025 celebration has set a new standard in Ghana’s cultural calendar — a magnificent convergence of cultural heritage, cultural innovation and creativity, and enduring unity that truly reflected the body, soul and spirit of the Anlo people.

This year’s celebration was not merely a festival; it was a powerful cultural awakening, a fusion of the old and new that reaffirmed the Anlo people’s place as torchbearers of Ghana’s cultural revival.

From the bustling streets of Keta and Dzelukope to the sandy beaches of Woe, Anloga, and Whuti, the atmosphere was electric. Hogbetsotso Zã 2025 brought together thousands of revelers, chiefs, queens, dignitaries, artists, artistes, and tourists from across Ghana and beyond.

The week-long festival was filled with culture, colour, music, dance, drumming, tradition, and intellectual discourse — a true celebration of identity and progress.

The following are some of the highlights of the whole celebration.

1. School children Hogbetsotso 2025

The festivities commenced with the School Children Hogbetsotso 2025, a vibrant cultural and educational showcase for all schools across Anloland. The performances by children — through poetry, cultural drumming and dancing, storytelling, and drama — symbolized the continuity of heritage and the transmission of values from generation to generation. It was a beautiful reminder that the future of Anlo culture rests in capable, proud young hands.

2. Jubilee Radio Hogbe 2025 Health Walk

The mammoth Jubilee Radio Hogbe 2025 Health Walk brought together thousands of participants who journeyed from various parts of Anloland, ending triumphantly at the scenic Aborigines Beach. The event was a fusion of health, fitness, and community spirit, with music, laughter, and a shared sense of pride in the Anlo identity.

3. Volta Defia Trade and Investment Fair and Summit

At the Keta Parks and Gardens, the Volta Defia Trade and Investment Fair and Summit attracted entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors from across Ghana. The exhibition grounds were transformed into a hub of commerce and creativity, showcasing the region’s immense potential in trade, tourism, and agriculture. It was a platform for connecting ideas with opportunities, setting the tone for Volta’s economic renaissance. It was crowned with a seminar for the youth on Youth Entrepreneurship As Pathway To Youth Employment.

4. The Maiden Volta Economic Forum (VEF)

The maiden Volta Economic Forum (VEF) at the Reddington Hotel, Whuti, was a groundbreaking intellectual and economic engagement. The event assembled the crème de la crème of Ghana and the Volta Region — business leaders, diplomatic corps, academics, policymakers, development partners and investors — to deliberate on the region’s economic prospects within the framework of the Volta Economic Corridor, the 24-Hour Economy, and Accelerated Export Initiatives. It was a moment of vision, strategy, and inspiration for a new Volta future.

5. The Grand Durbar of Chiefs and Queens,/b>

The colourful Grand Durbar of Chiefs and Queens at Anloga was the pinnacle of Hogbetsotso Zã 2025. The occasion witnessed the presence of dignitaries from across Ghana, including the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, who represented His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, and Mr. Sylvester Adinam Mensah, CEO of Ghana EXIM Bank. The spectacular display of traditional regalia, music, and dance reaffirmed the strength, pride, and unity of the Anlo people.

6. Glimetoto Reenactment at Anloga

The historic Glimetoto Reenactment at the Anloga Court Yard brought to life the legendary exodus of the Anlo-Ewe people from Notsie. It was an emotional and spiritually charged performance, dramatizing the resilience, unity, and triumph of the Anlo ancestors in their quest for freedom.

7. Beach Party at Lalana Beach with Stonebwoy

As tradition met modern rhythm, the legendary dancehall artiste Stonebwoy lit up the Lalana Beach with a spectacular live performance. The crowd was mesmerized as the global icon thrilled thousands with his electrifying hits, transforming the beach into a sea of music, dance, and joy.

8. Street Carnival by Collinwud

The Street Carnival by Collinwud turned the streets of Dzelukope into a vibrant corridor of colour and creativity. Dancers, masqueraders, and artistes paraded in celebration of culture, unity, and artistry, drawing massive crowds and creating unforgettable moments.

9. Mama Hogbe 2025 Pageantry

At Awadada Kumordzi’s House in Vui, the Mama Hogbe 2025 Pageantry showcased elegance, intelligence, and cultural knowledge. Contestants graced the stage in splendid traditional attire, exuding confidence and passion for Anlo heritage. The crowned Mama Hogbe became a cultural ambassador, symbolizing the beauty and wisdom of Anlo womanhood.

10. Street Art Festival by Kvng Glenn

The streets of Dzelukope and Keta came alive with the Street Art Festival by Kvng Glenn. Walls and public spaces were transformed into captivating art installations and murals that told the story of freedom, unity, and resilience — visual expressions of Hogbetsotso’s enduring legacy.

11. Yetoto Art Festival by Yetoto Art Foundation

The Yetoto Art Festival, organized by the Yetoto Art Foundation, blended creativity, culture, and social commentary. Held on the streets of Dzelukope and climaxing at the Aborigines Beach, the festival showcased paintings, sculptures, and performances that celebrated identity, innovation, and community spirit.

12. Street Dance at Black Rock, Woe

The Street Dance at Black Rock, Woe, brought youthful energy and artistic excellence to the fore. Dancers from all over the Volta Region competed and performed to the delight of spectators, merging contemporary flair with traditional rhythm.

13. Nugbidodo Rites for Peace and Reconciliation

The spiritual Nugbidodo Rites were solemnly performed to invoke peace, forgiveness, and unity among the Anlo people. The sacred rituals underscored the festival’s spiritual essence — that Hogbetsotso Zã is not only about celebration but about healing and collective renewal.

14. Festivities Across Anloland

Every town — from Keta, Dzelukope, Tegbi, Woe, and Anloga to Whuti — buzzed with cultural energy. Music, dance, street performances, and beach fun filled the atmosphere, as residents and visitors joined in one massive celebration of life, culture, and unity.

Indeed, Hogbetsotso Zã 2025 has transcended its traditional roots to become a beacon of Ghanaian and West African cultural identity. It is now the standard, the cultural yardstick against which all other festivals are measured — a true melting pot of heritage, innovation, and pride.

As we look forward to Hogbetsotso Zã 2026, expectations are already high. If 2025 was grand, then 2026 promises to be a real CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA. Expect it!