Accra: The chiefs and people of Ehi in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region have marked the ninth edition of the ‘Ehi Nutome Gali Za’ festival, emphasizing renewed community bonds and development.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was themed ‘Our Collective Responsibility for Community Development.’ Held annually on the last Saturday in September, the festival celebrates the community’s agricultural prowess, particularly in ‘gari’ production, a staple food in West Africa. This year’s theme underscored the importance of citizen mobilization for community progress and unity.
Ehi, known for its diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, continues to be a model of coexistence. The festival serves as a platform for cultural expression and economic dialogue. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Volta Regional Representative on the Council of State and Guest of Honour, emphasized that development is a shared duty among all citizens.
Kwamigah-Atokple praised the resilience of gari producers and traders, noting the product’s symbolism of teamwork. He committed to working with traditional leaders and development partners to attract investment in agriculture and tourism in the region. He urged unity among chiefs and cautioned against selling ancestral lands outright, advocating for leasing arrangements instead.
He highlighted infrastructure challenges, particularly the Metrikasa-Havedzi road, and assured collaboration with Eric Edem Agbana, Member of Parliament for Ketu North, to attract private investment, including plans for a gari processing factory in Ehi.
Martin Amenaki, Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu North, reiterated the government’s commitment to development through the Big Push initiative, highlighting ongoing road construction projects and plans for a modern health facility in Adzoatsi.
Togbui Akpo Ashiakpo VI, Paramount Chief and President of the Weta Traditional Council, stressed the importance of unity for development and praised Ehi’s peaceful coexistence. He warned against the indiscriminate sale of lands and advocated for leasing to preserve wealth for future generations.
He also addressed challenges such as hate speech, social media misuse, and substance abuse, calling for decisive interventions.
Togbui Dzeble Adukpo IV, Chief of Ehi, declared the festival’s 9th anniversary a milestone and invited all to prepare for a grand 10th-anniversary celebration in 2026. He outlined expectations for waste management, mental health awareness, civic participation, and more.
The Ehi Nutome Gali Za festival, revived in 2016, continues to be a catalyst for cultural enrichment and economic growth, reaffirming the belief that development is a collective responsibility.