GOLOKUATI CELBRATES DODOLEGLIMEZA (SHOWBIZ, PAGE 3, OCT 21, 2010)

By Emmanuel Modey

THE annual Lukusi festival dubbed Dodoleglimeza by the Chiefs and people of Ve Traditional Area in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region was last weekend celebrated with pomp and pageantry at Golokuati.
Originally linked with the escape from the brutalities of King Agorkoli at Nortsie about three centuries ago, the festival has gradually taken on a traditional tone.
The week-long celebration under the theme Education: Key to Youth Employment for Accelerated Rural Development attracted eminent traditional and opinion leaders from all walks of life including Members of Parliament, District Chief Executives, Chinese investors and tourists.
It was a memorable afternoon as crowds gathered at the Roman Catholic Junior High School park where the grand durbar which climaxed the celebrations was held.
In his welcome address, Togbe Delume VII, Paramount Chief of Ve Traditional Area called for the conversion of the Ve Golokuati ICCES centre into a technical institution to train the youth in employable skills.
Togbe Delume VII also used the occasion to appeal to citizens and friends who have the clout to come to their assistance and contribute towards the development of the area which abounds with various natural resources to promote employment avenues for the youth.
Speaking at the durbar, Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Hohoe -South Constituency who was the guest of honour said the theme was very relevant since education was the key to the success of the youth.
Mr Amenowode said for that matter, the government was transforming the local Ve Community Senior High School to a reputable standard to enable the school admit as many of the youth who are desirous of improving themselves.
In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Joseph Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways underscored the importance of good roads to the socio-economic development of the country and said the ministry was re-shaping about 50 kilometres of roads in and around Ve Traditional Area.
Mr Victor Herman Condobery, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive urged the youth to take education very seriously since it was the only tool that will empower them for the future.
Other activities which marked the celebration were bicycle race, football gala and a state dance at which Miss Patricia Donkor, a 21 year-old student was crowned Miss Lukusi 2010. For her prize, she took home a cooker, gas cylinder and a set of cooking utensils.