By Benjamin Makafui Attipoe, Sokpoe
The Minister for Culture, Tourism and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie has called for urgent support for the Tortsogbeza of the chiefs and people of the Sokpoe Traditional Area in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.
According to the Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ketu South Constituency of the Volta Region, the Tortsogbeza is not only unique but also a beautiful migration story to share to all Ghanaians and the outside world.
The Minister was speaking to journalists in an interview at Vodza in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region on some of the tourism products worth sharing and highlighting to promote tourism and the development of the region and beyond.
The Tortsogbeza, literally meaning River Crossing Festival, is an annual celebration by the chiefs and people of the Sokpoe Traditional Area, usually held in April around the Easter festivity period. It commemorates the ancestors’ migration from Notsie in neghbouring Togo and their historic crossing of the Volta River to settle at Sokpoe, featuring a re-enactment of the crossing journey by the chiefs in canoes.
The festival therefore celebrates the safe arrival of the ancestors, led by figures like Adela Tenutse, who used canoes to cross the Volta River to the western bank known in recent times as Sokpoe, the traditional capital.
The main event which takes place at Sokpoe sees the clan chiefs and elders participate in a ceremonial re-enactment of the crossing, traversing the Volta River not only to symbolize their unique journey but also honour their ancestral heritage, strengthen community unity and also display traditional drumming, dance and attire.
The Tortsogbeza which hit forty (40) years in April, 2026 often attracts a large number of visitors and dignitaries from all walks of life to Sokpoe. It is often marked with a “Soso” meaning “we have moved” celebration in all-red attire accompanied by dance and drama, firing of musketry and the display of unity of purpose and strength as depicted and exhibited by their forebears.
The festival also provides an opportunity for the Sokpoe community to showcase its history and culture, particularly the daring migration of the Ewe group of people from Ketu in the present Republic of Benin through Notsie in neighbouring Republic of Togo.
Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie advocated the needed support for the Tortsogbeza, describing its migration story as a different one altogether that equally needs to be given prominence amongst the tourism and cultural products. She appealed to the media not only to support the Tortsogbeza but also other festivals and cultural products in the region in order to promote tourism and the entire development of the region.
She reiterated her commitment as the Sector Minister and that of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in ensuring that the needed support is given to the tourism and creative arts sector in order to realize their dreams and vision.
The Paramount Chief of the Sokpoe Traditional Area, Togbega Kadzi Zogah II used this year’s festival to renew his appeal to the citizens of Sokpoe both at home and abroad not only to unite but also use their numerical strength and the little resources to advance the entire development of the Sokpoe State.
Togbe Kadzi Zogah II, who is also the President of the Tongu Chiefs’ Union (TCU), stressed the need for the youth to abstain from drug and substance abuse, urging them to concentrate on their studies in order to become responsible citizens in the future.
