The Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, has urged stakeholders to change their approach to development in the Volta Region. He made this call at the Volta Economic Forum 2026, held in Ho on September 23, 2026, as part of the 2026 Asogli Te Za celebrations. The forum's theme was "Transforming potentials into wealth for the Volta Region." Togbe Afede emphasized that despite numerous initiatives over the years, poverty remains widespread, and school completion and job creation rates are low.
Togbe Afede recounted efforts to develop the Volta Region dating back to the early 1990s. The Volta Forum Trust was established, followed by meetings in Akosombo and Sogakope, and engagements in Flair and Labadi Beach Hotel. These efforts led to a draft constitution, an office setup in Accra, and the Volta Congress in Ho in 2004. The proposals included a $20 million venture fund and a 10 billion cedis development fund. However, meetings on the funds and a fact-finding committee did not yield the expected results.
The Agbogbomefia mentioned other initiatives, including the Volta Development Agency in 2009, with its $250 million Volta Development Plan 2009-2014, dubbed "Pathway to Prosperity." This plan proposed three flagship projects. Additionally, there were visits to the Chinese Embassy in 2011, visits from Chinese investors, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on an experimental rice farm. The Volta Foundation was launched in 2006 to facilitate socio-economic development and ensure the completion of ongoing projects.
However, Togbe Afede noted that the Volta Foundation later backed out of the Keta Harbour Project on July 24, 2014. He attributed the failures of these initiatives to poor planning and coordination, lack of data, limited cooperation, excessive politicisation, lack of critical infrastructure, and absence of selfless commitment. These factors, he believes, have hindered the region's development.
Togbe Afede emphasized that for the region to succeed, its people need to demonstrate a sense of ownership and responsibility. He called for reduced pettiness in politics, embracing honesty, hard work, innovation, and education, and respecting the region's culture, language, chiefs, and people. The overlord and businessman stressed the importance of perseverance in achieving the region's development goals.
The Volta Economic Forum 2026 aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss the region's development challenges and opportunities. The forum provides a platform for experts, policymakers, and community leaders to share ideas and strategies for transforming the region's potentials into wealth. By engaging in such discussions, participants hope to identify practical solutions to the region's development obstacles.
Felix Anim-Appau reported this story for TV3 Ghana. The article highlights the need for a renewed focus on development in the Volta Region, with a emphasis on collaboration, selfless commitment, and a change in attitude towards development. The region's stakeholders must work together to address the challenges and harness the opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Key points
- Togbe Afede XIV calls for a change in attitude towards development in Volta Region.
- Poor planning and politicisation have stalled regional development agenda.
- The region needs selfless commitment, honesty, hard work, innovation, and education to succeed.
