From the timeless refrain “Home Sweet Home” I sing a new melody: “Ho Sweet Ho”, a poetic salute to the Oxygen City of the Volta region and Ghana at large.
“Home Sweet Home” reminds us that, however far we may travel in pursuit of education, work, or opportunity, nowhere compares to one’s own dwelling.
Home is the sweetest of places, and it must be revisited, cherished, and celebrated. For the people of Asogli and its environs, that home is Ho.
Ho, the regional capital with a population of more than 180,000 according to the 2021 census, lies at the bosom of Galenkui, a rainforest mountain that guards the city with quiet majesty.
In recent years, it has earned the proud name “Oxygen City” for its refreshing air, lush greenery, clean streets and calm pace of life.
From the crest of Galenkui at night, the city twinkles like a miniature New York, its lights scattered in brilliance across the valley.
By day, Ho flourishes like paradise itself, with trees planted along roads, neighbourhoods, and workplaces, a vision of serenity crafted into reality through the determination of the Ho Metropolitan authorities, thanks to people like the former MCE, Divine Bosson.
Driving through Ho is a delight. There are no potholes to fear, no choking traffic to frustrate the journey. It is a city that invites you to slow down and breathe.
Ho is also a banquet of flavours. Local chop bars, restaurants, palm wine joints, and pito spots, known locally as solom, offer affordable and delicious meals.
Sundays bring feasts of cassava or yam fufu with rich soups, eworkple with “Keta School Boys” stew, yam with kontomire sauce at various joints, Da Ema’s breakfast at Tsiyikporta and countless others.
For those who enjoy a stronger taste, there is the fiery sodabi or akpeteshie. In Ho, akpeteshie is undiluted gin distilled from palm wine.
The city’s culinary map is endless: from Lokoe to Bankoe, from there to K.K. House, or Ola Top, Market top to Zongo, delights abound. Fiave to Ben Tota, Barracks New Town to Trafalga, Nursing Training to Power House, HTU and UHAS enclave.
There is a small fast-food joint by the 24-hour shop at Dome, where Korkor serves her unforgettable kokonte with groundnut and palm nut soup. At Dome Junction, Mawuleme Bakery bakes organic bread that every traveller to and from Aflao must taste.
Those with a craving for grilled tilapia need only follow the road past the 66 Artillery Regiment to Green Palace at Ben Tota, where Mama G, grills tilapia to it’s perfection and served with organic pepper and steaming akple. It is the spot I cherish whenever my wife suggests we go out for dinner.
And when it comes to kebabs, the Zongo enclave is unmatched, while the Asogli Pub offers borborbor music to dance away the evening after a meal of tilapia and akple.
For those who prefer late-night kenkey or kokonte, Mimi, near the Asogli Palace, will ensure you are satisfied.
Luxury, too, is never far away. On the slopes of Galenkui, four- and five-star hotels and restaurants offer comfort and elegance, while for the adventurous, Bongo Farms provides tented nights under the stars.
Indeed, Ho is a city of contrasts, clean, green, and modern, yet deeply rooted in tradition.
Recently, a new phrase has emerged among its vibrant youth: “Ho We Dey.” It has become more than a slogan, it is an identity, a brand of pride.
Tourists are encouraged to wear the shirts emblazoned with the phrase and enjoy the special welcome that follows.
With events such as the annual Visit Volta and Trade Expo just around the corner, the city hums with anticipation and youthful energy. Thanks to the Volta regional Minister, James Gunu, for championing this year’s edition of Volta Trade Fare.
The names of the city’s icons, MC Bonthy, Sisla 1, 5Star Pub, Stanley Bongo, the Ahoe Boys, Dome Boys, Asigato Boys, Anlokordzi Boys, some media guys, Sisla 1, Lam B, Prince Amevi, Polymath, DJ Highgrade, Paul, the Borborbor King, echo through the streets, shaping a culture of creativity and pride.
But the greatest pride of all comes with Te Za, the Yam Festival of the Asogli people. This year, the festival, held under the auspices of the Agbogbomefia, Togbe Afede XIV, promises grandeur beyond measure.
From late August through October, Ho will throb with celebration. Mountain hikes to Galenkui and Adaklu will challenge the adventurous.
Musical performances, crowned by undiluted borborbor tsimatoe, choral music, will stir the heart. The ceremonial eating of the new yam will renew bonds of gratitude, while the grand durbar on 2nd October will dazzle with the pageantry of chiefs, queens, elders, and warriors in their full glory.
To be at Te Za is to hear the drums thunder across the valleys, to see queens resplendent in woven kente, to feel the joy of children and the pride of families reunited.
It is more than a festival; it is a homecoming, a cultural heartbeat, a sacred reminder of belonging.
For visitors, Ho is safe, welcoming, and affordable. Transport within the city is just three cedis by brakia, known also as “Mahama cando,” while taxis cost a mere GH¢3.50.
When it is time to leave, do not forget to carry with you yams, plantains, and other produce from the surrounding farming communities, for in Ho, the land itself is generous.
In Ho, life is soft, sweet, and sacred. In Ho, the heart finds a home. This August to October, as the chiefs and people of Asogli welcome the world, join the celebration. Come to Ho. Come to Ho Sweet Ho.
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