
The Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, has been named the Special Guest of Honour for the 2026 Hogbetsotso Za festival. The traditional ruler is scheduled to join the chiefs and people of the Anlo State in Anloga on November 7, 2026, marking a significant gesture of inter-ethnic solidarity and cultural diplomacy. His participation underscores a growing tradition of prominent traditional leaders from different regions gracing the annual celebrations of their peers to promote national cohesion.
The 2026 celebration will be held under the theme "Anlo, Our Heritage and Our Values: Striving to Build One Ghana for a Better Tomorrow." This theme focuses on the preservation of cultural identity as a foundation for national development and social harmony. The festival's highlight, the grand durbar, will showcase the rich customs of the Anlo people, including traditional drumming and dancing, alongside various rites that commemorate the historic migration of the Ewe-Anlo ancestors from Notsie.
Beyond the pageantry, the Yagbonwura's visit is expected to deepen the historic and cultural relations between the Gonja and Anlo traditional areas. By facilitating such high-level cultural exchanges, the festival aims to provide a platform for traditional authorities to collaborate on issues of national peace and heritage preservation. The presence of the Gonja Overlord as the Special Guest of Honour is seen as a vital step in promoting the spirit of unity through the celebration of diverse yet interconnected Ghanaian values.