The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to agricultural transformation and food security, emphasizing that Ghana’s future lies in empowering farmers and modernizing agriculture.
Speaking at the 2025 Asogli Te Za (Yam Festival) in Ho, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang lauded Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, and the people of the Volta Region for preserving a rich cultural heritage that celebrates unity, renewal, and gratitude.
She noted that beyond its cultural significance, the Yam Festival serves as a “powerful cultural lens” through which to appreciate the promise of government’s Feed Ghana Programme, designed to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods.
“Here in the Volta Region, yam has been a source of sustenance, a symbol of renewal, and a sign of communal wealth,” the Vice President said.
“But today’s farmers face challenges, changing rainfall patterns, post-harvest losses, and market instability, and that is why government has placed food security and agricultural transformation at the heart of our agenda.” She added.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted key initiatives under the Feed Ghana Programme, including major 2025 budget allocations for projects such as the Vegetable Development Project and Nkoko Nketenkete for poultry and egg production.
She announced that 5,000 agriculture and veterinary science graduates will be deployed nationwide, including in the Volta Region, to support farmers with modern extension services and practical innovations, with a special emphasis on boosting vegetable farming, a traditional strength of the region.
She also commended ongoing stakeholder engagements in Ho and other districts to encourage cooperatives and maximize irrigation potential, particularly for rice and yam production.
Describing the Volta Region as a potential “agricultural backbone” of the country, the Vice President said government is prioritizing the rehabilitation of underutilized irrigation systems, as well as providing access to land banks, credit facilities, and agribusiness training to make farming more modern and appealing to the youth.
“We must ensure that the youth of Asogli see farming not as a last resort, but as one of many noble professions,” she emphasized.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further linked the festival’s spirit of renewal to the newly launched Adwumawura Programme , a flagship youth employment initiative championed by President Mahama to create jobs through skills development and entrepreneurship.
Commending the chiefs and people of Asogli for sustaining their cultural heritage, she urged Ghanaians to merge tradition with innovation in building a resilient and self-sufficient nation.
The 2025 Asogli Yam Festival climaxed with a colourful durbar featuring traditional displays, a royal procession, and vibrant cultural performances, marking yet another celebration of unity, gratitude, and renewal in the Volta Region.
This year’s event was themed “Together in Honesty and Purpose, We Build a Just, Peaceful and Prosperous Nation.”
In his address, Togbe Afede XIV, President of the Asogli Traditional Area, expressed gratitude to the gods and ancestors for a peaceful and successful celebration.
He renewed his call for honesty and moral uprightness in national life, quoting William Shakespeare: “No legacy is as rich as honesty.”
Togbe Afede lamented that corruption and dishonesty continue to undermine Ghana’s development, urging citizens to uphold integrity and accountability.
“It is sad that in a country as religious as ours, corruption has become normalized. We celebrate the wealthy without questioning how they earned their riches, and we often vilify the honest. We must change this narrative,” he said.
The Agbogbomefia concluded by calling for renewed commitment to truth, transparency, and respect for the Constitution, stressing that Ghana’s progress depends on citizens who value integrity and good conscience.
Source: myxyzonline.com/Akora Kofi Darko
