By Michael Foli Jackidy
Avatime-Gbadzeme (V/R), April 21, GNA – The Chief of Avatime-Gbadzeme, Okusie Okoforobour Agyemang VII, has made a passionate appeal to citizens of the community and beyond to unite in the effort to rehabilitate the Fume-Gbadzeme road.
He described the road as a critical asset for development and tourism promotion.
The Chief made the appeal, when speaking at the 2025 Youth Easter Durbar held on Saturday, April 19, under the theme “Rehabilitation of Avatime-Gbadzeme Roads: A Pathway to Tourism Development – The Role of the Youth.”
He stressed that the deplrable state of the road for decades hindered progress, with successive governments failing to provide the needed intervention.
“We must stop waiting for miracles from government alone. The development of our community, especially our roads, is a shared responsibility. Everyone must play a part,” he said.
He called on all residents, both at home and abroad, to contribute through levies, dues, communal labour and donations toward improving the road infrastructure and general community development.
The chief expressed appreciation to individuals and groups who have already contributed time, energy, and resources to improve the road through communal efforts.
Okusie Agyemang highlighted the continued academic excellence of the community, noting that the Avatime-Gbadzeme JHS maintained a 100 per cent pass rate in the last BECE, with 80 per cent of candidates gaining admission into second-cycle institutions.
However, he lamented that some of these students, particularly girls, were unable to continue due to teenage pregnancies.
He appealed to parents to support their daughters’ return to school after childbirth and pledged to hold accountable any parent who prevents a child from attending school.
“Education is the future of Gbadzeme. Any parent who allows their child to loiter or skip school will be held responsible,” he cautioned.
He encouraged teachers to intensify efforts in preparing students to attain single-digit scores in the upcoming exams.
Touching on agriculture, the chief expressed concern about the destruction caused by bushfires, which devastated several farms in the area.
He urged residents to avoid practices that cause bushfires and encouraged the youth to take advantage of the available fertile land to engage in cocoa and brown rice farming.
He also appealed for support for the annual Teachers and Farmers Day celebration, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and rewarding hardworking educators and farmers in the community.
The chief also commended health workers in the area for their commitment to promoting good health among residents, describing them as “heroes in silence” who deserve more support and recognition.
Prof. Mrs. Smile Gavua Dzisi, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service in charge of Managerial Services, who chaired the occasion, assured the people of Gbadzeme of her support in engaging the Minister for Roads and Highways on the condition of the Fume-Gbadzeme road.
She emphasised that good roads would enhance tourism and boost local economic activities.
“Development lies in the hands of the youth. Your energy, your passion, and your unity are what will move this community forward,” she said.
She also urged the youth to take active part in communal labour and other developmental initiatives.
Mama Klebetesi III, Queen Mother of Mafi-Sasekpe in the Central Tongu District, who co-chaired the event, commended the youth for their consistent involvement in community development.
She encouraged queen-mothers in the Avatime area to initiate girls’ education and women empowerment programmes, pledging to allocate slots for them in upcoming women mentorship programmes.
Mr. Frank Fianyo, President of the Gbadzeme Youth Association, also took the opportunity to encourage the youth to remain active and committed to all developmental initiatives and programs, noting that the future of Gbadzeme depends on their collective efforts.
The 2025 Youth Easter Durbar brought together community members, traditional leaders, government officials, and development partners in a renewed call to action for Gbadzeme’s growth and prosperity.
GNA
MA/BM