President John Dramani Mahama has drawn attention at the 2026 Hogbetsotso Za Festival after he bowed and knelt to greet the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I.

The gesture occurred on November 7, 2026, when the president bowed to greet the the traditional ruler, a Special Guest of Honour at the event when he arrived at the durbar grounds at Anloga in the Volta Region.

Aboakyir, Damba, Hogbetsotso: Behind the rituals and the culture of festivals

The Yagbonwura's presence at the grand durbar marks a historic moment, as it is reportedly the first time an Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom has attended the Hogbetsotso celebration.

The invitation was extended by the Overlord of the Anlo Kingdom, Togbui Sri III, also known as Torgbui Adzongaga Amenya Fiti III, as part of efforts to strengthen cultural relations between the two traditional areas.

This year's celebration, held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, is being observed under the theme, “Anlo: Our Heritage and Our Values, Striving to Build One Ghana.”

See the video below:

A beautiful moment as President Mahama bows and kneels to greet the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, upon his arrival at the Hogbetsotso Festival in Keta. https://t.co/XBsJtFXvWO

— THE STATE NEWS (@THESTATENEWSS) November 7, 2026