Tobgi Agbesi Awusu II, Awadada of Anlo
Acting President of the Anlo Traditional Council

(the following is an exerpt from the Foreward of the Hogbetsotso Festival brochure written by Togbi Agbesi Awusu II)

The Anlo State, like many others states in Ghana boasts of a long colorful momentous, and at times, tragic history. The history of our state is full of stories of perserverance and hectic deeds. It is the history of a people who after centuries of many journeys from distant lands stretching as far as Adzatome (a suburb founded by Ham the second son of Noa) to Egypt, the Sudan, Abyssinia, the Niger Bend, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and to the beautiful south-eastern corner of modern Ghana.

In this part of Ghana, with the largest lagoons, marshes, creeks, and an angry and boisterous sea coast with beautiful golden sandy beaches, live a hardened and industrious African people who still draw inspiration from their sojourner ancestors who fought tyranny along their migratory routes to found a state of freedom and hope. It is this land of unbeliveable beauty which welcomes all to the Hogbetsotso Festival.

THE LAST WORDS OF TOGBI SRI I,
AN EWE KING OF THE 16th CENTURY
(written on his deathbed)

Children forget not the saying
"Evil doers are the ruin of nations."
Set your children on the right path
For they are the nation tomorrow
We live today but tomorrow we are not
In the virtueof our children will lie
The growth of our country in wisdom, love and bravery.
Obedient children are the ornaments of their parents
And the whole of the nation
Sapphires and coral are they and pearls and gold
And the adornment of their fatherland
In the virtue is wisdom itself
Through which the people thrive
It increases the joy of live beyond the grave.
Truly he who lives according to god's law
Is a pillar of the state
Therefore, my children, let every crime be punished.
And the wayward corrected.
The liar must acknowledge the sovereignty of truth.
Debt must be discouraged.
Theft, adultery and the evil practices of sorcery
Must never be tolerated in our land of Anlo.
Therefpre for every young man who refuses to reform,
We will prepare a place at the Fifth Landing Stage.*

(* The Fifth Landing Stage was the place where the Anlo State executed criminals in the past)