Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Saturday graced the grand durbar celebration of the Te Za (Yam Festival) of the chiefs and people of Asogli in the Volta Region.
The 2025 celebration, which was held in Ho, also coincided with the 22nd anniversary of Togbe Afede XIV’s enstoolment as Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State.
It was held on the theme: “Together in Honesty and Purpose, We Build a Just, Peaceful and Prosperous Nation,” calling for unity, honesty, and collective effort toward national development.
The colourful event, which attracted people from across Ghana and beyond, brought together traditional leaders, diplomats, government officials, and political figures, including the Vice President as the Special Guest of Honour.
In her address, Prof Opoku-Agyemang said she was deeply honoured to join the Asogli State in celebrating a festival that not only gives thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest, but also reminds citizens of their collective responsibility to build a better nation.
She commended Togbe Afede XIV and the people of Asogli for preserving their rich cultural heritage, which continues to attract national and international attention.
“The Yam Festival is not only a celebration of harvest and thanksgiving, but a sacred reminder of our duty to build a future worthy of our heritage,” she said.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang reiterated government’s commitment to modernising agriculture, noting that under the “Feed Ghana Programme,” significant investments were being made to enhance food production, empower farmers, and ensure food security.
“This year, 5,000 graduates in agriculture and veterinary sciences are being deployed across the country, including the Volta region, to work with farmers—sharing knowledge, introducing modern techniques, and improving productivity,” she disclosed.
She highlighted ongoing initiatives such as vegetable and poultry development projects, irrigation rehabilitation, and greenhouse farming to help the region maximise its agricultural potential.
“The Volta region has the land, the skills, and the spirit to become a major contributor to Ghana’s food security. With cooperatives, mechanisation, and strong community participation, we can reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs, and improve livelihoods,” she added.
The Vice President urged the youth to view agriculture as a dignified and profitable venture, assuring them of policies and programmes that make farming attractive, modern, and rewarding.
She linked the festival’s theme to the national fight against corruption, urging Ghanaians to embrace honesty as a guiding national value, saying, “Our progress as a people is strongest when it is rooted in truth, integrity, and shared purpose.”
Togbe Afede XIV, on his part, expressed gratitude to the gods and ancestors for a peaceful and successful celebration.
He thanked dignitaries and visitors who joined the festival and used the occasion to renew his call for honesty and moral uprightness in national life.
Quoting William Shakespeare, the English playwright and poet, Togbe Afede reminded Ghanaians that “No legacy is so rich as honesty,” stressing that corruption and dishonesty continued to undermined national development.
“It is sad that in a country as religious as ours, corruption has become normalized. We celebrate the wealthy without questioning how they earned their riches, and we often vilify the honest. We must change this narrative,” he said.
The Agbogbomefia called for renewed commitment to truth, transparency, and respect for the Constitution, emphasising that Ghana’s progress depended on citizens who value integrity and accountability.
Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, the Warlord of Asogli, highlighted the cultural and economic importance of the Yam festival.
He explained that the festival serves multiple purposes—thanksgiving to the Almighty and the gods for a good harvest, promoting reconciliation and unity among families, assessing annual progress, and mobilising resources for development.
He noted that yam cultivation, though laborious and risky, remained central to the Asogli people’s livelihood and identity.
He appealed to the government to support the Ho Technical Institute with modern classrooms, workshops, and hostel facilities to enhance technical and vocational education.
He also urged chiefs within the Asogli State to help resolve land and chieftaincy disputes, stressing that peace and justice were essential to development.
The 2025 Te Za drew participation from traditional leaders from across the region, Ewe chiefs from Togo and Benin, and delegations from Tamale and Northern Ghana.
Also in attendance were ambassadors from Italy, Côte d’Ivoire, and others, as well as senior government officials and National Democratic Congress party leaders.
The celebration, marked by rich cultural displays, music, and dance, reaffirmed Asogli’s reputation as a centre of unity, peace, and forward-looking leadership in the Volta region.
Source: GNA
The post Asogli State celebrates 2025 Yam Festival appeared first on Ghana Business News.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS