Togbe Afede XIV and National Leaders Champion Social Inclusion and Youth Empowerment Across Ghana

The 2026 Te Za (Yam Festival) in Asogli concluded with a grand durbar at Ho Jubilee Park, serving as a platform for national calls for development and integrity. The celebration, themed "United in Purpose, Investing in People and Infrastructure for Sustainable National Development," featured a keynote address by Togbe Afede XIV, who urged Ghanaians to combat corruption and foster entrepreneurship among the youth. Representing the Presidency, Dr. Julius Debrah commended the Agbogbomefia’s leadership, emphasizing that government support for the Volta Region remains a priority. This sentiment was echoed by Regional Minister James Gunu, who highlighted the collaborative efforts between traditional authorities and the state as essential for achieving long-term progress.

In parallel with these cultural celebrations, several initiatives focused on protecting vulnerable populations and improving social advocacy. In the Greater Accra Region, the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection organized a community engagement in Chorkor, where Regional Director Matilda Banfro urged residents to report Gender-Based Violence (GBV), specifically highlighting the rise of technology-facilitated abuse. Advocacy for inclusion also reached the media sector, as Peter Anomah Kordie of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations called on journalists to adopt ethical reporting standards and inclusive language to better represent persons with disabilities. These advocacy efforts were supported by direct community action, including a donation of food and essentials to the Motherly Love Orphanage by the Immanuel Temple of Royalhouse Chapel International, and a contribution of art materials to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) Paediatric Unit by the Academic Talent Development Programme (ATDP) and The Art Peeps to enhance the recovery experience for young patients.

The focus on the nation's future also extended to professional and religious institutions, which emphasized the need for youth mentorship and high ethical standards. Kwasi Attah-Antwi, the outgoing Lay President of the Methodist Church Ghana, warned during his valedictory service that the church’s growth depends on its ability to empower and invest in its young members. This call for excellence was mirrored in the engineering sector, where the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Ghana inducted 35 new members at Tamale Technical University. IET President Engineer Wonder Salami Davor reminded the new professional engineers and technologists that integrity and licensure are critical to their practice, urging them to lead with innovation as they contribute to Ghana’s technical infrastructure.

These diverse events across the country reflect a unified drive toward building a more inclusive and professionally rigorous society. From traditional festivals promoting national unity to grassroots efforts in social protection and professional development, the collective message from leaders remains focused on sustainable growth. Moving forward, the success of these initiatives will depend on sustained partnerships between the government, traditional leaders, and civil society to ensure that the vulnerable are protected and the youth are equipped to lead the nation's development.