Accra: Chiefs and people of Som¨ Traditional Area, in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, celebrated the 2025 edition of Som¨tutuza at Agbozume on Saturday. The 49th edition of the festival aimed to improve the development of the area and was held under the theme, ‘Consolidating Peace and Unity for Socio-Cultural and Economic Development in Som¨ Traditional Area.’
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential advisor on the 24-hour economy, represented President John Mahama at the event. In his speech, he thanked the chiefs, people, and planning committee members of Som¨tutuza for the recognition and invitation. He mentioned that the ’24 hour’ economy programme included a company called ‘Show 24’, which would help strengthen Ghana’s creative youths from the areas to shape their careers while protecting Som¨tutuza, potentially growing into an international event to create jobs in hospitality, fashion, logistics, and digital content.
He encouraged the public to have vision, courage, and collective determination for purpose and discipline, emphasizing that ‘we are all one regardless of our tribe or language.’ He further highlighted that development is not only about buildings and roads but also culture, identity, and belonging. He recognized the contributions of the area’s people to national development through Kente clothes, music, dance, food, language, and more, urging that their entrepreneurial and creative skills be recognized as national assets.
Torgbiga Adamah III, Paramount Chief of Som¨ Traditional Area, expressed gratitude to the chiefs and people of the Traditional Area for their support in uplifting the area’s development standards. He also thanked President John Dramani Mahama for initiatives like the Sea Defence Project at Agavedzi and Amutsinu to prevent sea-related devastation.
Torgbiga Adamah acknowledged the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, led by Minister Madam Dzifa Abla Gomashie, who is also the MP of the Ketu South constituency, for incorporating ‘World Tourism Day’ into the Som¨tutuza celebration to boost tourism. He noted the poor road network in the area and promised that the Som¨ Traditional Council, in collaboration with the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, plans to start road improvements by 2026.
Addressing water issues in Agbozume and its surroundings, he assured that the MCE and the Assembly are working to resolve the challenges soon. In education, the traditional council, in collaboration with Seven Sea Salt Company at Adina, is making efforts to promote education by providing sponsorship to three students for university education, covering allowances and tuition.
He stated that the traditional council intends to use festival-generated revenues to construct an administrative block to facilitate council works and appealed to the public for project support. He urged the citizens of Som¨ traditional area to remain faithful, united, and foster development to improve community progress.
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, and MP of Ketu South, urged the public to collaborate with stakeholders to boost tourism site economies for better development. The 2025 Som¨tutuza was attended by dignitaries including Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of the NDC, Togbe Dorglo Anumah VI, Paramount Chief and President of Avenor Traditional Council, the festival chairman, stakeholders, and others, amidst drumming and dancing.