President John Dramani Mahama knelt to welcome Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I to the Hogbetsotso grand durbar in Anloga, Volta Region, on Saturday.
The Gonja overlord was the Special Guest of Honour at the main event of the Anlo festival. Footage released on Saturday afternoon shows Mahama bowing before kneeling as Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I arrived at the durbar grounds.
The visit is being described in reports as the first appearance by an Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom at Hogbetsotso. However, the invitation delivered to Damongo in October did not describe it as a first, instead highlighting the importance of strengthening relations between the two kingdoms.
Togbui Amey Zegu II, Dufia of Alakple, delivered the invitation to the Jakpa Palace on behalf of Togbi Sri III, Awoamefia of Anlo Dukor.
The Yagbonwura accepted the invitation and said Gonjaland and Anlo had historical connections stretching back centuries. He was also expected to address the durbar.
Togbui Zegu said the programme at Anloga would follow the Awoamefia’s sitting-in-state. It would include traditional displays from the states of Anlo Dukor, with national dignitaries also in attendance.
This year’s theme is: “Anlo, Our Heritage and Our Values: Striving to Build One Ghana for a Better Tomorrow.”
Hogbetsotso Za, also known as Hogbeza, commemorates the Anlo-Ewe people’s escape from King Agorkorli I at Notsie, in present-day Togo. The festival is held on the first Saturday in November.
Mahama had received the Yagbonwura at the Presidency on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, alongside Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and Gonja paramount chiefs.
Speaking during that meeting, Mahama said: “As a proud son of Gonjaland, I feel a profound personal connection to this visit.”
He added: “This occasion goes beyond protocol. It is a reaffirmation of the unity and shared destiny that binds our people together.”
The Ghana News Agency also reported on the Presidency meeting between the President, the overlord and the Gonja paramount chiefs.
