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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, vice president, has urged the preservation of Ghanaian culture and history as a gift to future generations.
Dr. Bawumia underlined the importance of cultural sustainability in his speech on Saturday at the 2022 Hogbetsotso Festival, which also happened to be the festival’s 60th anniversary. He said that it is about “maintaining cultural beliefs, cultural practices, heritage conservation, culture as its own entity, and the question of whether any given culture will exist in the future.”
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the significant contributions culture makes to economic growth, particularly through tourism, and he praised the Chiefs and residents of Anlo state for maintaining the Hogbetsotso, which he said has attracted tourists to the region for many years.
“This festival has not been celebrated ever since the break out of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, which brought many countries, businesses and organisations to their knees. Thanks to the good interventions and measures instituted by the His Royal Majesty, Torgbi Sri III and the good people of Anlo, this festival has once again seen the light of day,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
“The Anlo State, over the past 60 years, has strived and contributed in many ways towards the Development of our dear nation Ghana. So, as we celebrate the 60th Annual Hogbetsotso Festival today, we must look back even as we take stock of our achievements and challenges over the years and re-strategise on how we can further accelerate the development of the Anlo State and Ghana at large,” Dr. Bawumia added.
“From their rich cultural heritage to cultural and creative industries, culture is both an enabler and driver of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development of our people.”
“The people of Anlo have come this far with their unique culture and tradition and preserving such culture and heritage will be a legacy for the future and unborn generations”.
Dr. Bawumia also touted the tourism potential of the area, adding that issues affecting the area, such as poor road networks and the tidal wave, are being considered by the government to boost the tourism potential of the area.
“A common knowledge is that Anlo Traditional Area, especially Anloga and Keta is one of the growing, well patronized and highly competitive tourist destinations in Ghana and beyond. Aside the enormous tourism potentials of the districts, which draw hundreds of tourists here every week and several thousand every year, it is naturally, a peaceful area to sit and relax.”
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Omanhene of Kwahu Traditional Area Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II were among the well-known traditional leaders who attended the vibrant event.
The Asantehene’s appearance at Anlo was even more significant because it was his first visit to the Volta Region in more than 120 years.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
