By Agbaxode Emmanuel, GNA
Avega-Agornu (V/R), Sept. 05, GNA – The seventh edition of the Avenor Tutudoza Festival has been launched at Avega-Agornu in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region, with residents describing the occasion as a strong display of love, togetherness and unity among the people.
The launch, held under the theme, “Peace, Unity and Security: Foundation for the Sustainable Development of Avenor,” brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, residents, members of the Central Planning Committee (CPC), security agencies, development partners, media practitioners and other stakeholders.
Torgbui Dorglo Anumah VI, Paramount Chief of the Avenor Traditional Area and President of the Avenor Traditional Council, in a speech read on his behalf by Torgbui Tali Gafatsi III, the Chief of Agbedrafor and former CPC Chairman, called on all sons and daughters of Avenor to embrace peace, unity, hard work and determination towards the development of the Traditional Area.
He said sustainable development could only take root when the people remained united, peaceful and secure in their communities.
Torgbui Dorglo congratulated Mr Clarkson Thomas Adade, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, and members of the various committees for their dedication and sacrifices towards the organisation of the festival.
He also commended Torgbui Misu and the Chiefs and people of Avega-Agornu for their enthusiasm and hospitality in hosting the launch, saying their efforts demonstrated the unity that bound all communities within Avenor together.
Torgbuiga Dorglo expressed gratitude to all in ensuring that the celebration proceeded peacefully.
He said Avenor was rapidly developing and becoming a force to reckon with in the Volta Region and beyond, attributing the progress partly to the achievements of sons and daughters of the traditional area in business, academia, public service and other fields of endeavour.
He, however, cautioned the people against complacency, urging them to embrace innovation, particularly in agriculture, and attach greater importance to the development and empowerment of the youth.
Torgbuiga Dorglo further reminded the people that traditional boundaries were distinct from administrative boundaries, which were created for purposes of local governance.
He said although Avega-Agornu was located within the Akatsi North District administratively, it remained, first and foremost, part of the Avenor Traditional Area, bound to it by history, culture and kinship.
He therefore called on all natives of Avenor in Akatsi North to work together in peace and unity towards the common development of the traditional area.
He also appealed to all sons and daughters of Avenor, corporate organisations, development partners and friends of the traditional area to contribute generously towards the successful organisation of the festival.
Torgbui Ladzekpo Tete Gefu IV, the Chairperson for the occasion, assured the people of the full support of traditional leaders and stakeholders towards building a better Avenor.
He urged the people to continue working together, saying the collective efforts of the people were essential to achieving sustainable development and improving the wellbeing of communities within the traditional area.
Mr Adade, the CPC Chairman, on his part, said Avenor Tutudoza was more than an annual festival, describing it as a celebration of the history, traditions and values of the people.
He said the festival also provided an opportunity for natives in the diaspora to reconnect with their roots, promote tourism, showcase Avenor’s rich cultural heritage and create opportunities for business and investment.
Mr Adade appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, financial institutions, development partners and the business community to support the celebration through sponsorship, donations, logistics and other forms of assistance.
He urged all Avenor natives, both at home and abroad, to become ambassadors of the festival by promoting it wherever they found themselves and encouraging their families, friends and colleagues to participate.
As part of preparations towards the November climax, a number of cultural, social, sporting and community-oriented activities are expected to be held, including the annual pilgrimage to Datsutagba, Children’s Durbar, Mama Nutifafa Avenor Beauty Pageant, health walk, youth-oriented programmes, musical concert among others.
Other activities associated with the celebration include clean-up exercises, paying homage to the Paramount Chief at Avenorpeme, the traditional capital of Avenor, and a non-denominational thanksgiving service.
The annual pilgrimage to Datsutagba, a significant cultural event on the Avenor Tutudoza calendar, is expected to bring together Chiefs, Queenmothers, natives and visitors in a procession to the historic site.
The festival would subsequently climax in November with a grand durbar, which is expected to attract traditional rulers, government officials, Members of Parliament, development partners, business leaders, natives and friends of Avenor.
Residents who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) expressed joy at the hosting of the launch in Avega-Agornu, saying the event had brought renewed excitement and a strong sense of unity among them.
They said the gathering had provided an opportunity for residents, Chiefs, natives and visitors to come together, interact and celebrate their shared Avenor identity.
The residents expressed the hope that the spirit of love and unity witnessed during the launch would be sustained beyond the festival and translated into collective efforts to promote peace and development in Avenor.
Avenortutudoza is the annual festival of the Chiefs and people of the Avenor Traditional Area and is celebrated under the auspices of the Avenor Traditional Council, under the royal patronage of Torgbui Dorglo Anumah VI.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Agbaxode Emmanuel
[email protected]