Asenta - Africans in the Diaspora

Togbe Gabusu Honored in New York Ten years ago, he was one of the youngest kings of a major paramountcy in Ghana. With a strong sense of purpose and determination, he laid out a progressive agenda that would usher his people into a new era of growth and modernization. Today, still a young man of only 49 years, Togbega Gabusu VI , Paramount King of Hohoe Traditional Area in the Volta administrative region of Ghana commands the respect and admiration of many of his colleagues and government officials. It is for this reason that his peers have him serving two terms as the vice president of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and the governmnet appointing him to sit on the Hohoe District Assembly. He is also the President of the Hohoe Traditional Council. More importantly, Togbe Gabusu enjoys the absolute trust of the chiefs and people of the area over which he exercises traditional political and spiritual authority. This has come essentially from the policies and programs he has initiated to jump start development in the area. Three years ago, the traditional council began the construction of a $170,000 4 storey office complex in Hohoe. The project is being financed almost entirely by citizens of the area through an innovative levy that requires each adult to donate a minimum of one bag of cement. The project is one third complete. Under Togbe Gabusu, the district now has its own public library that complements facilities available at the many educational institutions in the area. His pursuit of peaceful co-existence amongst all Ghanaians resulted in the institution of a joint festival with the chiefs and people of Peki Traditional area.	The annual "Gbi Dukor Xa" (Great One State) festival, now in its fifth year is celebrated alternatively in Peki and Hohoe to practically re-establish the historical bond between the two groups who trace their ancestral origins to Notse in Benin. This year's version is scheduled to be held in Hohoe on December 4. Togbe Gabusu, during a recent visit to the United States, was recognized at a reception held in his honor, and hosted by Mama Enyonam Yawa I, an African-American recently installed honorary chief of Gbi Kpeme. It took place at the landmark John Henry Clarke House located in the village of Harlem. Speakers at the function included Togbe Adja Tekpor, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Dr Kludze, a law professor at Rutgers University, Mr. Francis Ahoklui, Togbe Agbodegbe, Gyaasehene of Liati Traditional Area and Mr. Aristotle Simpri. In a brief speech, Togbe Gabusu praised Mama Yawa, for coming back to her ancestral roots. He expressed the hope that she would be a worthy agent for the return of several more African-Americans to waiting homes in Africa. He prayed that African people in the United States would pursue united goals which they can bring back home to aid development efforts there. Characteristically modest, Dr. Selina Ahoklui tried to downplay her role as the prime coordinator of the event. However, it was not hard to glean that much of what happened on this late Saturday afternoon was very much the handiwork of the internationally acclaimed educator and community activist. In 1997, Dr. Ahoklui was recognized for her professional excellence and chosen as New York State’s Teacher of the Year. @s

Togbe Gabusu Honored in New York

Ten years ago, he was one of the youngest kings of a major paramountcy in Ghana.

With a strong sense of purpose and determination, he laid out a progressive agenda that would usher his people into a new era of growth and modernization.

Today, still a young man of only 49 years, Togbega Gabusu VI , Paramount King of Hohoe Traditional Area in the Volta administrative region of Ghana commands the respect and admiration of many of his colleagues and government officials. It is for this reason that his peers have him serving two terms as the vice president of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and the governmnet appointing him to sit on the Hohoe District Assembly. He is also the President of the Hohoe Traditional Council.

More importantly, Togbe Gabusu enjoys the absolute trust of the chiefs and people of the area over which he exercises traditional political and spiritual authority. This has come essentially from the policies and programs he has initiated to jump start development in the area. Three years ago, the traditional council began the construction of a $170,000 4 storey office complex in Hohoe. The project is being financed almost entirely by citizens of the area through an innovative levy that requires each adult to donate a minimum of one bag of cement. The project is one third complete.

Under Togbe Gabusu, the district now has its own public library that complements facilities available at the many educational institutions in the area.

His pursuit of peaceful co-existence amongst all Ghanaians resulted in the institution of a joint festival with the chiefs and people of Peki Traditional area.

The annual "Gbi Dukor Xa" (Great One State) festival, now in its fifth year is celebrated alternatively in Peki and Hohoe to practically re-establish the historical bond between the two groups who trace their ancestral origins to Notse in Benin. This year's version is scheduled to be held in Hohoe on December 4.

Togbe Gabusu, during a recent visit to the United States, was recognized at a reception held in his honor, and hosted by Mama Enyonam Yawa I, an African-American recently installed honorary chief of Gbi Kpeme. It took place at the landmark John Henry Clarke House located in the village of Harlem.

Speakers at the function included Togbe Adja Tekpor, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Dr Kludze, a law professor at Rutgers University, Mr. Francis Ahoklui, Togbe Agbodegbe, Gyaasehene of Liati Traditional Area and Mr. Aristotle Simpri.

In a brief speech, Togbe Gabusu praised Mama Yawa, for coming back to her ancestral roots. He expressed the hope that she would be a worthy agent for the return of several more African-Americans to waiting homes in Africa. He prayed that African people in the United States would pursue united goals which they can bring back home to aid development efforts there.

Characteristically modest, Dr. Selina Ahoklui tried to downplay her role as the prime coordinator of the event. However, it was not hard to glean that much of what happened on this late Saturday afternoon was very much the handiwork of the internationally acclaimed educator and community activist. In 1997, Dr. Ahoklui was recognized for her professional excellence and chosen as New York State’s Teacher of the Year. @s