GNA
Accra, Aug. 12, GNA – Togbe
Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State said, chiefs must be committed
to the development aspirations of their people.
He said development
was a long and never-ending journey and that given the limited resources,
chiefs needed to be in constant dialogue and collaboration with other actors in
the development process in other to take traditional leadership to a new level.
Togbe Afede XIV said
this at the launch of the 2018 TE ZA Festival and the 15th anniversary
celebration of his instalment as the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in Accra.
The essence of the
anniversary was to take stock and plan for the task ahead; reaffirm his
commitment to serving the best interests of the people; and give thanks to God
and all who have supported him, and ask for their continuous support.
The celebration saw
the launch of a book titled: “Unveiling the Volta Region of Ghana” which
coverede all of Volta, from the north to the south.
It also saw the launch
of the Ghana Medical Aid Fund, which seeks to help meet at least part of the
needs of the unfortunate people suffering from various strange ailments making
appeals to the public for help.
He said work on the
book begun back in 2016, and long before the announcement of the intention to
divide the Volta Region into two and that this demonstrated the commitment of
Asogli chiefs to a united Volta Region.
Togbe Afede XIV, who
is the President of the National House of Chiefs (NHC) revealed his intentions
to work towards the resolution of the major outstanding chieftaincy conflicts
that were threatening the peace and unity of the country, and work towards
promoting understanding among various ethnic groups.
He said peace and
stability had been the magnets that attracted and continued to attract investors
to Ghana and that between peace and anarchy, there was no choice, adding, there
cannot be development without peace.
Togbe Afede XIV
explained that his dedication over the next five years would be directed to a
fight, and battle against poverty, deprivation and suffering and seek the
support of all to bring development to the country.
He said the desire to
help strengthen the peace and unity of Ghana was the reason why the people of
Asogli embarked on fraternal visits to many other traditional areas in the
country.
The Agbogbomefia said,
the theme for this year’s TE ZA “Uniting for the Cause of Asogli, Volta Region
and Ghana” captured the Asogli State objective to contribute their quota
towards uniting the people of the Volta Region and Ghana for the cause of
development for the next five years.
He said, on October 4,
2003, when he was installed as the Agbogbomefia, he expressed his belief that
his installation was to mark a new beginning for all of Asogli State and
pledged to commit himself to the best interests of his people.
This pledge he said
was in recognition of the desire among the people for development, that creates
jobs, enhances living standards, brings happiness, and emphasised that all
citizens have a role to play in the unfolding history of Asogli.
He said foundations
were put in place to inform and mobilise the people of the State to attract
investment into the Volta Region and counted the development of a website for
the Asogli State, and two publications, the “Ho Tourist and Business Guide
2009” and “The Volta Region, A Guide to Tourists and Investors”.
“The 560MW Sunon
Asogli power, which is 15 per cent of Ghana’s power generation capacity and
Africa World Airlines which will be expanding over the next one year was to
realise its mission to make Accra the hub of aviation in West Africa.
“Volta Region
Development Agency, which has promoted a promising friendship between the Volta
Region and the Ningxia Autonomous Province of China, the Asogli Education Fund,
which supported over 2,000 people across since its establishment in 2005, the
Philip Akpo Memorial Roman Catholic Junior High School at Ho is built to honour
the memory of my twin brother.”
Togbe Afede XIV who is
also Executive Chairman of the World Trade Centre Accra, revealed how the
centre integrated Ghanaian businesses into the worldwide alliance of World
Trade Centres and expanded international trade flows and investment to Ghana in
order to enhance Ghana’s economic growth and prosperity.
“Our vision is
ultimately an African vision. That is why I have led important visits to Togo,
Uganda, Liberia and more recently, Zimbabwe.”
He outlined some major
developments he was pursuing such as a 50MW Ada wind power project, in
collaboration with Shenzhen Energy Group, owners of Sunon Asogli Power Ghana
Ltd, the 700MW to 2,000MW coal-fired power project, in collaboration with
Shenzhen Energy Group.
“Volta Fertilizer
Company Ltd, to be sited in Juapong, Ghana Aviation Academy in Ho which will
train pilots at the new Ho Airport and the Phobia Academy, the first modern
soccer academy in Accra”.
“There are many other
initiatives in energy, manufacturing, mining, telecommunications and financial
technology,” and count on government’s facilitating role.
Togbe Afede XIV
thanked Nana Soglo Alloh, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, the TE
ZA Planning Committee, led by General Martin Ahiaglo, Corporate bodies and
Traditional Authorities and Religious bodies for their continuing support.
He extended
invitations to all to join the Asogli State in the celebration of the TE ZA
over the period of August 25 to September 16 with the Grand Durbar on September
15, 2018
Togbe Afede XIV was
installed as the Agbogbomofia of the Asogli State on October 4, 2003, after
nine days of confinement and succeeded the late Togbe Afede Asor II.
GNA