Dodome Paramount Chief urges residents to unite and mobilise resources for community development

The Paramount Chief of the Dodome Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty Togbe Kpangbatriku IV, has called on residents, traditional leaders, development associations and citizens in the diaspora to unite and mobilise resources towards accelerating development across the six communities that make up the traditional area.

He made the call at the 2026 Dodome Agadzi Festival, held at Dodome Teleafenu, under the theme, “Building Stronger Communities Through Resource Mobilisation and Cooperation.”

Addressing traditional authorities, dignitaries, and residents, Togbe Kpangbatriku IV emphasised that sustainable community development could only be achieved through collective responsibility, effective collaboration, and a renewed commitment to the welfare of the traditional area.

He urged the people to move away from the mindset of expecting the community to provide for them and instead ask themselves what they could individually contribute to its progress.

“Not what Dodome can do for me, but what can I do for Dodome? This is the change in mindset we need,” he stressed.

The Paramount Chief described the Agadzi Festival as more than an annual cultural celebration, saying it represents the people’s collective memory, identity, gratitude, and unity.

He noted that the festival provides an important opportunity for the people to honour their ancestors, preserve their cultural heritage, and reflect on their shared responsibility to protect and improve what has been handed down to them.

According to him, the history associated with the traditional settlement and the Agadzi Festival should inspire present and future generations to appreciate their roots and work towards a common development agenda.

Calls for stronger cooperation among six communities

Togbe Kpangbatriku IV identified Tsikor,Teleafenu,Dogblome, Awuiasu, Awlime and Avexa as the six communities constituting the Dodome Traditional Area, stressing that although each has its distinct identity and history, they share a common heritage and destiny.

He cautioned against allowing differences among communities, clans, and individuals to undermine the broader development aspirations of the traditional area.

“The strength of Dodome will not be determined by how powerful one community becomes. It will be determined by how effectively all the six communities come together,” he stated.Quoting the Ewe proverb, “Asi deka, melea todzo o,” meaning one hand can not catch a buffalo, he underscored the importance of cooperation and collective effort in overcoming development challenges.

He added that the progress of one community should be regarded as the progress of the entire traditional area.

Proposes establishment of Dodome Development Fund

On resource mobilisation, the Paramount Chief challenged the traditional council, the six communities, development associations, and citizens living outside the traditional area to explore the establishment of a Dodome Development Fund or structured Community Development Framework.

He explained that such an initiative could provide an organised mechanism for identifying priority development projects and mobilising regular contributions from residents and indigenes in the diaspora.

He emphasised that resource mobilisation should not be limited to financial contributions, noting that professional expertise, building materials, technical knowledge, and voluntary services were equally valuable resources.

He, however, stressed that transparency and accountability must underpin any development fund or community mobilisation initiative.

According to him, proper financial reporting and acknowledgement of contributions would build public confidence and encourage more people to support community development initiatives.

“If we mobilise 1,000 Ghana cedis, we should be able to explain where it went. And if we mobilise 100,000 Ghana cedis, the communities should know what has been achieved,” he said.

Youth, women, and skills development in focus

The Paramount Chief also called for greater involvement of young people in community development, insisting that they should not be treated merely as future leaders but as important stakeholders in the present.

He encouraged the youth to acquire relevant skills, embrace entrepreneurship, explore opportunities in agriculture and technology, preserve their cultural heritage, and actively participate in traditional and community affairs.

He further urged chiefs, queen mothers, and older generations to create opportunities for young people to contribute to decision-making processes and assume leadership responsibilities.

Togbe Kpangbatriku IV also highlighted the important role of women in community development, calling for initiatives that would improve their access to skills training, capital, markets, and leadership opportunities.

He maintained that strengthening women economically and socially would contribute significantly to the wellbeing of families and the wider community.

He further advocated sustained investment in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), describing skilled professionals such as electricians, mechanics, carpenters, fashion designers, modern farmers and software developers as essential contributors to national development.

Appeals to government over deplorable roads

Turning his attention to infrastructure, Togbe Kpangbatriku IV renewed his appeal to the government to prioritise the rehabilitation and completion of the road linking Dzolo Gbogame to Ashanti-Kpoeta through Dodome to Kpedze.

He recalled making a similar appeal during the previous festival but expressed disappointment that nearly a year had passed without any meaningful response or action from the Ministry of Roads and Transport.

He therefore renewed the demand through the District Chief Executive of the Ho West District Assembly, urging the government to treat the road project as a matter of urgency.

He explained that improved road infrastructure was critical to economic activity, accessibility and the overall development of communities within the traditional area.

Traditional council raises concern over illegal mining

The Paramount Chief also drew attention to the increasing threat of environmental degradation, particularly illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He warned that indiscriminate destruction of the environment was putting the traditional area’s natural resources, including its forests, rivers, streams, and farmlands, at risk.

He called on the government to intensify efforts to end illegal mining or, at the very least, take stronger measures to minimise its devastating effects on the environment and livelihoods.

He stressed that protecting the environment was a shared responsibility and essential to securing the future of generations yet unborn.

Calls for sustained unity beyond the festival

Reflecting on the revival of the Agadzi Festival after a prolonged interruption, Togbe Kpangbatriku IV said the experience demonstrated the power of unity and collective determination.

He noted that the festival’s revival was an important step towards strengthening relationships among the people and creating a common platform for cultural preservation and development.

He urged residents to ensure that the spirit of cooperation demonstrated during the celebration extended beyond the festival grounds into their homes, schools, workplaces, churches, and traditional institutions.

He expressed his vision of a Dodome Traditional Area where young people could find opportunities to thrive, women could build successful enterprises, and children would take pride in their heritage, and disagreements would not destroy community relationships.

The Paramount Chief concluded by urging all sons and daughters of Dodome, both at home and abroad, to contribute meaningfully towards building a stronger and more prosperous traditional area.

He called for the continued promotion of peace, unity, cultural preservation, and development while invoking God’s blessings on the people of Dodome, the Volta Region, and Ghana.

“Let this year’s Agadzi Festival not end when the drums become silent. Let its message continue in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, our churches, and in our traditional council,” he urged.