‘Adopt innovative measures to accelerate devt of continent’
The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, has underscored the need for Ghana and the rest of Africa to adopt innovative measures to accelerate the development of the continent.
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He further called for a change in attitude, beliefs and value systems by leaders, stressing that using the same approach would never produce different results.
“We need to develop a vision, think big and eschew mediocrity, create conditions for peace and unity and inclusive participation in the development process,” the Agbogbomefia added.
Togbe Afede was speaking at the Asogli Yam Festival which also marked the 13th anniversary of his enthronement at a grand durbar at the Jubilee Park in Ho last Saturday.
The event was held on the theme: “ Let’s unite for peace, stability and development”.
Negative beliefs
Togbe Afede observed that some negative traditional beliefs were giving way to equally bad religious beliefs.
He noted that the practice by some pastors to dwell so much on the devil, bad spirits and evil happenings in their sermons was making majority of their congregations lose trust in their own abilities.
The consequence, he said, was that many congregants now attributed every misfortune to the work of the devil, instead of believing in their own capacities and abilities to work and improve on their situation.
“Our pastors sell hope to these people through expensive anointing oils and holy water. I haven’t read that Jesus took money for the water he blessed. These beliefs and practices stifle initiative and discourage hard work,” he indicated.
Politics
Togbe Afede further stated that the greatest obstacle to development was politics, saying that although the Constitution prescribed free and fair elections, politicians, both in government and in opposition, were always thinking of ways and means of getting unfair advantage which he cautioned could lead to disturbances.
He said even though the Constitution enjoined the state to create equal opportunities for all, some people believed that by virtue of belonging to the ruling party they deserved everything.
He also chastised politicians who suddenly turned themselves into businessmen, a practice which obstructed and frustrated the work of genuine businessmen, thereby stifling initiative and growth in the private sector.
Commendation
In an address read on his behalf, President John Mahama commended the Agbogbomefia for his passion for national development and indicated that his immense contribution to the energy sector in particular deserved praise.
The President assured the people that the Volta Region would not be taken for granted in the equitable distribution of the national cake and gave an assurance that the region would receive its fair share in his next government.
Achievements
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, said the region had chalked up tremendous achievements since the inception of the Fourth Republic.
He called for the building of congenial synergies between chiefs and political appointees from the region to chart the path for the accelerated development of the area.
The Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, said the Yam Festival had become the rallying point for the promotion of peace, unity and progress of not only the people of the Asogli Traditional Area but also the entire Volta Region.
Projects
She announced the construction of the first dual carriageway in Ho to cover a distance of more than 10.5 kilometres from Sokode-Gbogame to the Ho Civic Centre at a cost of GH¢98 million.
A similar project from Sokode-Etoe, through the University of Health and Allied Science (UHAS) to Titrinu, covering a distance of 10.5 kilometres, would be constructed at GH¢28 million.
According to her, the government and other stakeholders had also identified a site for the construction of a sports complex for the region.
