The 2024 Hogbetsotsoza festival in Anlo, traditionally celebrated by the chiefs and people of the 36 states of Anlo, is set to generate significant economic activity with the invitation of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, Paramount Chief of Abene Kwahu, as Chairman. This marks the first time a Kwahuhene has been invited to chair the event, symbolizing a growing relationship between the Anlo and Kwahu kingdoms.
The influx of visitors, including tourists from across the country and the diaspora, is expected to lead to high hotel occupancy rates in the Anlo region, boosting the local hospitality sector. Catering businesses are also preparing for brisk sales, with a surge in demand for local delicacies as thousands flock to Anloga, the ritual capital of Anlo, to celebrate the festival.
The Hogbeza celebration, known for its rich cultural display, will also see a boom in road transport as bus and taxi operators anticipate a spike in passengers traveling to the event. This surge in economic activity presents a unique opportunity for local businesses to capitalize on the festival’s draw.
The event, themed “Strengthening Bonds and Embracing Our Shared Heritage,” underscores not only cultural exchange but also the potential to promote tourism between the people of Anlo and Kwahu. The growing collaboration between these two regions offers an opportunity for sustained tourism development in the long term, potentially attracting even more tourists and business opportunities in future editions of the festival.
Known for their business savviness, the visit of the Kwahuhene and his entourage could also foster trade between the two traditional areas.
Organized by the Anlo Youth Council, this year’s Hogbeza slated for November 2, will be a platform for unity, peace, and national cohesion, offering more than just a cultural spectacle but also economic prosperity for the region.
