By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), July 7, GNA – The Mepe Traditional Council and the Mepe Development Association have announced that the 70th edition of the Mepe Afenorto Festival will focus on post-flood recovery, investment and sustainable development as the community continues to rebuild following the Akosombo Dam spillage.
The announcement was made when a delegation from the Traditional Council and the Development Association paid a courtesy call on Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in Ho to formally invite him to the festival’s Grand Durbar.
The delegation, led by Mrs Victoria Yawa Amefadzi Doe, District Chief Executive for North Tongu, presented the official invitation and briefed the Minister on activities lined up for the annual celebration, which has become an important platform for promoting the cultural heritage, unity and socio-economic development of the Mepe Traditional Area.
Mrs Doe said this year’s festival would be celebrated under a theme centred on unity, investment and sustainable development, with particular emphasis on rebuilding livelihoods and communities affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage, which displaced thousands of residents and destroyed homes, farms and other properties in the North Tongu District and neighbouring communities.
She said the theme reflected the resolve of the people of Mepe to transform the disaster into an opportunity for recovery by promoting collaboration among government, development partners, investors and citizens.
Receiving the delegation, Mr Gunu thanked the chiefs and people of Mepe for the invitation and commended the choice of theme, describing it as timely and relevant to the region’s development agenda.
He said the festival would serve not only as a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the people but also as an important platform for mobilising support for reconstruction, economic recovery and sustainable development in flood-affected communities.
The Regional Minister urged the traditional authorities to continue promoting peace, unity and social cohesion, noting that those values remained essential for attracting investment and accelerating development.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with traditional leaders, local assemblies, development partners and the private sector to improve the living conditions of residents affected by the floods and promote inclusive development across the Volta Region.
Mr Gunu assured the delegation of his participation in the festival and expressed confidence that the 70th Afenorto Festival would strengthen unity among the people of Mepe while showcasing the area’s rich cultural heritage and development potential.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade