4 NDC Presidential Hopefuls ‘Clash’ at Hogbetsotso Festival

The Hogbetsotso Festival over the weekend, played a pivotal role by bringing together, persons who many have perceived as ‘Arch Rivals’ in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearship race.

Four leading flagbearer aspirants, former President, John Mahama; Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; former Trade Minister, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah; and former NIHA Boss, Sylvester Mensah, stormed Anloga in the Volta Region for the grand durbar of chiefs and people of Anlo to crown the 2018 Hogbetstso Za.

The NDC flagbearer race seems to be getting stiffer by the day as all contenders in the contest appear to be looking for avenues to woo delegates to their camp.

But this time, none was seen making a political statement neither was any spotted trying to seek the favour of delegates―as has been the case in recent campaign tours.

The four, were rather captured in photos exchanging pleasantries with the Chiefs and engaging in hearty chats with their fellow aspirants.

Volta and NDC

Prior to remarkable reunion at the Hogbetsotso Festival, some of the aspirants in the NDC flagbearer race had been spotted in some parts of the Volta Region.

Dr. Ekow Spio-Gabrah for instance, took time to interact with delegates from the Ho Central, Ho West and Adaklu Constituencies in the Volta Region before the festival.

Obviously on a mission to persuade delegates to ‘root for him’, Dr. Spio-Gabrah had asked delegates in the Volta Region to vote for a flagbearer who has the favour and support of the founder and leader of the party.

He posited that, the obvious, but not the only reason, the NDC enjoys the support of people of the Volta Region is because of the founder, Mr. Jerry John Rawlings—whose support he—Spio has enjoyed over the years.

According to Dr. Spio-Gabrah, party members within the region are aggrieved over the failed relationship between Mr. Rawlings and some leading members of the party in recent times— resulting in some sort of disaffection for the NDC in the region.

“Is it not true that many of you here vote for the NDC because of the founder? He had queried.

The NDC, according to Dr. Spio would not enjoy the support of the region, if such the cold relationship between the party’s stalwarts and the founder persists.

He, therefore, urged delegates to pick him ahead of any other aspirant in order to win the 2020 general elections.

The Festival

Hogbetsotso Festival is celebrated by the people of Anlo in the Volta Region of Ghana. The celebration starts in the month of November at Anloga, which is the traditional and ritual capital of the Anlo state.

Festival unfolds Ewe history and brings to play the memories of legendary exodus and heroic acts of men of boldness and their mystical powers that liberated the Ewe-Dogbo people from the rule of tyrant King of Kings Torgbui Agorkorli of Nortsie in Togo.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]