By Benard Worlali Awumee
Tegbi, (V/R), April 11, GNA – Togbi Gawu V, the Divisional Chief (Dufia) of Tegbi, has issued a passionate appeal to residents to refrain from encroaching on lands earmarked for public infrastructure, particularly road corridors.
His call comes as the community intensifies efforts to upgrade its road network to boost agribusiness and fishing activities.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Togbi Gawu expressed concern over the increasing number of private developments springing up on lands designated for roads and other essential infrastructure.
“I am pleading with our people to avoid building and farming on lands marked for public use. We have a promising road network here in Tegbi, but many of the routes earmarked for expansion or construction have been taken over by private developers and farmers.
“This is hampering transportation and hindering development in the area,” Togbi stated.
Tegbi, located in the Anloga District of the Volta Region, is widely known for its agricultural productivity and fishing activities. Despite having a mapped road network, many of the township roads remain undeveloped, often sandy and difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season.
This has spurred the local leadership to initiate a comprehensive road improvement campaign to connect remote farming areas to the main Keta-Anloga highway towards the market centres.
Togbi Gawu reiterated the economic significance of Tegbi, noting that the town plays a vital role in food supply within the Anloga and Keta municipalities.
“Most of the vegetables and food crops sold in the Anloga and Keta markets come from Tegbi. Our fishmongers also transport processed fish to these markets. So, improving road connectivity between the farms, fishing zones, and markets is essential to maximizing our economic potential,” he added.
In a bid to support these development goals, the community recently relaunched its traditional development festival, “Tegbi Easter Dututdo-Za”.
The festival, which had been dormant for some time, was revived with a renewed purpose: to mobilise resources for the improvement of township roads, including the laying of laterite on the Tegbi Crossroads to enhance accessibility.
Tegbi is one of the largest Anlo communities in terms of land size with its economy heavily reliant on both fishing from the sea and the Keta Lagoon and farming.
The area is particularly noted for the cultivation of vegetables such as okra, tomatoes, pepper
The Chief reiterated the need for collective responsibility and cooperation among residents to preserve public lands and prioritise community development over individual interests.
“Development is a shared responsibility. When we all respect the rules and protect lands meant for roads and public services, it becomes easier to attract government support and donor investment,” Togbi Gawu said.
The three Assemblymembers within the Tegbi community, Mr Ephraim Dodzi Jumpah of Ashiata, Mr Shugah Mawuli Anthonio of Afedome and Mr Gabriel Amedoyro of Agbedrafor, have all added their voices to Togbi’s call to mobilise support for the realisation of their aim of improving the road network in Tegbi.
The call by Togbi Gawu and the Assemblymembers serves as a timely reminder of the critical link between infrastructure development and economic growth, particularly in rural communities with untapped agricultural and marine potential.
GNA
MA/CAA