Traditional leaders and residents of Battor-Adidokpoe in the North Tongu District have marked their maiden festival, dubbed ADIFEST, aimed at promoting unity and advancing development initiatives in the community.
The festival, held under the theme: “Together We Build,” was initiated by the Adidokpoe Youth Association (ADIYA) to mobilise indigenes at home and abroad to support development efforts, with a particular focus on the construction of a community centre.
Mr John Amedor, Chairman of ADIYA, said the initiative was also designed to strengthen social cohesion and encourage collective responsibility towards the development of the town.
He explained that the proposed community centre was expected to house a library, an information and communication technology (ICT) facility and other social amenities to support education and skills development, especially among children and the youth.
Mr Amador said preliminary estimates placed the cost of the project at about One Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 1,000, 000), noting that the association intended to pursue the project in phases while engaging stakeholders for support.
He said over the years, the association had worked to unite the youth and motivate indigenes to contribute to the growth of the community, despite economic and employment challenges that limited frequent return visits by some residents living outside the town.
The Secretary of ADIYA, Mr Samuel Innocent Kpeli, highlighted some development challenges confronting Battor-Adidokpoe, including limited access to potable water, poor road conditions, inadequate staffing at the basic school level, insufficient electricity supply, and weak telecommunication networks.
He appealed to relevant authorities, development partners, and stakeholders to consider the needs of the community, and called on indigenes to play active roles in supporting development initiatives.
Togbe Patamia Dzekley VII, Vice President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, commended the leadership of the youth association and traditional authorities for the initiative and urged sustained unity and collaboration to ensure the success of the festival.
He called on traditional leaders to uphold peace and harmony as essential foundations for development.
Mr Worlase Kpeli, Member of Parliament of Kwahu Afram Plains, described the festival as a platform to inspire indigenes to contribute meaningfully to the development of their hometown, irrespective of their place of residence.
He encouraged the youth to focus on education and personal development, noting that individual progress would contribute to community and national advancement.
Mr Kpeli expressed confidence that ADIFEST would grow into a unifying event that would encourage indigenes to return home not only for social occasions but also to support initiatives aimed at improving living standards in Battor-Adidokpoe.
