The ‘Kingdom’ of Ho-Dome

Ho-dome is one of the five divisions of the Ho Traditional Area. The others are Bankoe, Ahoe, Hliha and Heve. The people of Ho-Dome migrated from Akyem-Achiase in the Eastern Region. They journeyed through thick and thin, fighting and winning wars through Krobo along the Volta River and further down to Ada.

They settled at Ada for some time, during which they acquired the GaDangme language which they spoke with perfect proficiency.

As immigrants and people in the minority in GaDangme land, they faced discrimination from the indigenes.

In their quest for liberty and fertile farmlands, the people of Ho-Dome moved across the Volta estuary and continued along the eastern shores of the river to a point before continuing towards the north-east direction and finally reaching Ho with only seven men under the leadership of Adzie Lakle.

Ho entry

Oral history has it that a hunter/farmer from Ho-Heve assisted them in entering the Ho town smoothly.

The people of Ho-Dome, with their Awafiaga (War Lord of Asogli), led the Asogli State to drive away the Akwamus from their domain and led the Ewes to defeat the invading Ashantis at Mountain Gemi.

Due to their bravery, the people of Ho-Dome took over the leadership of the Asogli Traditional Area and ruled as Fiaga (paramount chief) for many years.

Ho-Dome is known for its high standard of the chieftaincy institution and it was only the Ho-Dome chief who in the past was carried in a palanquin during royal processions.

Togbe Kumi II was the 10th Howusu (chief) of Ho-Dome and the first paramount chief of the Asogli Traditional Area, a position he lost in 1958.

The present Divisional Chief (Dufia) of Ho-Dome is Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, who is also the Awafiaga of Asogli.

In a chat with the Daily Graphic recently, Togbe Howusu said the people of Ho-Dome are peace-loving and their chief is recognised as the commander-in-chief of the military of Asogli.

Major clans

The five major clans of Ho-Dome include Ametsitsiwo, who form the council of elders, the advisory body to the Dufia; the Adzie clan which provides persons for enstoolment as the Dufia, Afetorfia (male and female), Asafofia (male and female) and Zikpuitor.

The others are Blisam, Wusu, Akpomega and Afrimegboe.

In the supreme interest of the people of Ho-Dome, the governing system has made provision for the appointment of Sohefia (youth leader), both male and female for all clans.

The Awafiaga takes the chest (akor) of any customarily slaughtered animal, symbolising his readiness to face the enemy in times of war.

In peace times, the Awafiaga provides leadership in implementing development programmes in the Asogli State.

Striking features

Today, the most striking feature in Ho-Dome is the busy traffic on the two main roads – the one from Ho-Hliha to the Volta Barracks and the other from Ho-Kpodzi to the Ho Central market.

At the intersection of the two roads in the middle of the division are many posters of pending events and funerals and the clean streets.

Other landmarks are the chains of mini shops along the streets and well-preserved Victorian-storey buildings.

The Ho-Dome E.P. Basic School is another important significant feature of the division.

Ho-Dome has a taxi rank from which one can commute to nearby Kpenoe and Takla.

Togbe Howusu said the people of Ho-Dome had over the years preserved the values of discipline, honesty and hard work bequeathed them by their ancestors.

“So, anyone who comes to Ho-Dome to steal or engage in other forms of crime does so at his or her peril,” Togbe Howusu cautioned.

In times of recreation, the people of Ho-Dome love playing and dancing to “At home” music.

Their centuries-old war drum, Dziwornu, is still revered and preserved as the deity that helped the people of Ho-Dome win every war against the enemy.

Togbe Howusu’s words to any visitor were, “Just be law abiding and refrain from littering the neighbourhood of Ho-Dome and you will enjoy your stay with us.”