By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Goviefe Todzi (V/R), Aug. 9, GNA – Togbega Adanu Sakrafo X, Paramount Chief of the Goviefe Traditional Area, has underscored the critical role of traditional authorities in the maintenance and sustenance of peace and unity in Ghanaian society.
He observed, however, that the influence of traditional leaders had, over the years, been diminished by the country’s contemporary political system.
Togbe Sakrafo made the remarks in a welcome address at the fifth Goeviwo Festival held at Goviefe Todzi in the Afadzato South District of the Volta Region.
The festival was celebrated on the theme: “Harnessing Peace and Unity as Tools for Development in the Ghanaian Society: The Relevance of Traditional Leadership.”
The Paramount Chief commended the current government and its immediate predecessor for efforts to revitalise the chieftaincy institution and provide the necessary structures for its effective functioning.
“One of such tools is the establishment of Traditional Councils as the seat of power for traditional authorities,” he noted.
Togbe Sakrafo noted that the Goeviwo Festival symbolised unity and brotherliness and urged residents of all Goeviwo communities to embrace those values in their daily lives.
“It is not enough to make merry on the festival grounds and return home to continue to fight among ourselves.
“Uniting for development will be nothing but a meaningless slogan if we continue to live a life of bitterness, strife, hostility, ill-will, enmity and violence in our communities,” he stated.
He questioned the value of wishing the dead to “rest in peace” if they had not enjoyed peace during their lifetime.
The Paramount Chief therefore urged celebrants to make the festival a beacon of peace, love, unity, understanding, tolerance, forgiveness, dependability, mutual respect and the fear of God.
“Peace is generated when unity and love merges,” he said.
Togbe Sakrafo also expressed profound gratitude to the Government for its intervention in addressing road infrastructure challenges in the Volta region, particularly the rehabilitation of the Kpeve-Goviefe Todzi road, which he described as a longstanding challenge for the community.
He announced that proceeds from this year’s festival would be used to construct an ultra-modern Traditional Council Hall with office facilities and high-speed internet connectivity at an estimated cost of GH¢5 million.
Mr Matthew Wormenor, Chairman of the Central Festival Planning Committee, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the festival was celebrated annually by descendants of Togbe Goe, a renowned warrior and prominent member of the Adaklu group of Ewes during the ancestral migration from Notsie in present-day Togo centuries ago.
He said Togbe Goe established and settled at Adaklu Goefe, from where his descendants later migrated to various communities.
Mr Wormenor explained that the Goeviwo Festival was a revival of “Dekaworworza,” a festival instituted in 1954 to unite Goeviwo communities.
He said there were several Goeviwo communities in both Ghana and Togo, but those currently participating in the festival included Goviefe Todzi, Woadze, Tsrukpe, Adaklu Goefe, Adaklu Kodzobi and Have.
Mr Wormenor said efforts were underway to bring other Goeviwo communities on board to strengthen unity among descendants of Togbe Goe.
He added that funds raised during the festival were usually allocated to the host community to support local development projects.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah