Adaklu kodzobi: The chiefs and people of Adaklu Kodzobi in the Adaklu district are set to celebrate their annual Bliza Festival from November 4-10, 2024. The festival, which venerates corn as a life-saving crop following a severe drought in 1983, aims to foster community unity and raise funds for local development projects. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Matthew Wormenor, the chairperson of the festival planning committee, explained that the Bliza Festival was established to express gratitude towards corn, which was the first crop to thrive after a devastating drought and famine. The event also serves to give thanks to God for a subsequent bumper harvest. Mr. Wormenor added that the festival has evolved into a significant cultural and community event, promoting values of peace, love, and unity under this year's theme, "peace, love and unity: bedrock for comprehensive development." The weeklong celebration will feature various activities, including cleanup exercises, a health walk, mountain hiking, a y outh day, football matches, traditional games, a storytelling competition, and a borborbor night. The highlight of the festival is set to be a fundraising durbar on November 9, with proceedings from the event earmarked for the completion of a one-story information center building in the community. The festival will conclude with a thanksgiving service on November 10. Distinguished guests expected to attend include Dr. Archibald Letsa, Volta Regional Minister; Mr. Kwame Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu; Mr. Walter Zuh Wogbemase, Adaklu District Chief Executive; and several prominent chiefs from the Volta and other regions. Additionally, Mr. Wormenor revealed that a festival levy is imposed, with resident males and females contributing GHS 20 and GHS 10 respectively, while non-resident citizens are required to pay GHS 50 each. He encouraged all community members to actively participate in the scheduled events to ensure the festival's success.