The Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, on Saturday shared in the colour and spirit of the Asogli Te Za (Yam Festival), celebrating unity, culture, and a season of thanksgiving with the people of the Volta Region.
This year’s celebration, held under the theme “Together in Honesty and Purpose, We Build a Just, Peaceful and Prosperous Nation,” brought together dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond, including traditional rulers, diplomats, government officials, and political figures.
She commended Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, and his people for preserving their rich cultural heritage, which she described as “a source of national pride and inspiration.”
She noted that the Asogli Te Za is not merely a festival of harvest and thanksgiving but “a sacred reminder of our duty to build a future worthy of our heritage.”
The Vice President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernising agriculture through the Feed Ghana Programme. She disclosed that 5,000 graduates in agriculture and veterinary sciences were being deployed nationwide, including in the Volta Region, to work directly with farmers.
These young professionals, she said, would help introduce modern farming techniques, boost productivity, and improve food security. She added that ongoing projects such as vegetable and poultry development, irrigation rehabilitation, and greenhouse farming have the potential to transform Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
“With cooperatives, mechanisation, and strong community participation, we can reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs, and improve livelihoods.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also encouraged the youth to see agriculture as a dignified and profitable venture, assuring them of policies designed to make farming attractive and rewarding.
Touching on the festival’s theme, she linked its call for honesty and purpose to the national fight against corruption, urging Ghanaians to uphold integrity in both public and private life.
“Our progress as a people is strongest when it is rooted in truth, integrity, and shared purpose,” she emphasised.
Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, expressed gratitude to the gods and ancestors for a peaceful and successful celebration. He, however, lamented the increasing culture of corruption and moral decline in the country.
“It is sad that in a country as religious as ours, corruption has become normalised. We celebrate the wealthy without questioning how they earned their riches, and we often vilify the honest. We must change this narrative.”
The Agbogbomefia urged Ghanaians to recommit themselves to truth, transparency, and respect for the Constitution, noting that the nation’s progress depends on citizens who value integrity and accountability.
Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, the Warlord of Asogli, described the annual Te Za as a time for thanksgiving, reconciliation, and unity. He appealed to the government to support the Ho Technical Institute with modern infrastructure to strengthen technical and vocational education in the region.
He further called on chiefs within the Asogli State to help resolve land and chieftaincy disputes, stressing that peace and justice are essential to development.
This year’s Te Za celebration drew participation from traditional leaders across the Volta Region, as well as Ewe chiefs from Togo and Benin. Delegations from Northern Ghana and ambassadors from Italy, Côte d’Ivoire, and other countries were also in attendance.
The grand durbar was marked by rich cultural displays, traditional drumming, music, and dance, reaffirming the Asogli State’s reputation as a beacon of unity, peace, and cultural pride in the Volta Region.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
