The La Shikitele, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, has reflected on the successful conclusion of the 2025 Homowo Festival, which was marked by the sacred Kpleshwemor rite, a ceremony where the principal deity of the La State, La Kpa, is offered a bull in appreciation for its blessings during the year.

The final ceremony, held with pageantry and reverence, drew widespread praise from townsfolk and traditional leaders alike.

The rite, which signals the end of Homowo, featured vibrant performances by La’s revered priests and priestesses, who danced to the rhythm of sacred drums in a tradition culminating in the slaughter of a cow in honour of the deity.

“It’s not just the dancing,” the Shikitele explained in an interview with the media on September 18, 2025. “It’s a spiritual offering, a cultural heartbeat that connects us with our ancestors.”

The La Shikitele emphasized that repeated attempts over the years to derail the festival through legal challenges on the basis that it could not be celebrated in the absence of a La Mantse had all failed.

He stressed that this year’s festival was successful because the people of La followed due process and upheld custom.

From May through September, the festival unfolded with meticulous planning and strict adherence to tradition.

“We put in place proper arrangements, not just for the rites but for the governance of the town, and the results are a manifestation,” he added.

Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, who serves as both Shikitele (Kingmaker) and Supreme Head of the Nmati Abonase Quarter of La, also highlighted the concessionary arrangement with the University of Ghana.

Under this initiative, La indigenes benefit from reduced cut-off points when seeking admission. He clarified that this is not a scholarship scheme but rather a concession.

La Shikitele leads sacred 'Ngorwala' rite to close Homowo Festival


As the Homowo Festival drew to a close, the Shikitele reaffirmed his resolve, “We shall continue to manage the La State in accordance with custom and law, and no amount of interference will distract us.”

He ended on a hopeful note, pledging his commitment to unity, tradition, and progress for the people of La.

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