Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, at the weekend commended the Governments of Togo and Ghana for the brotherly relationship between the two countries.

He said the two states had over the years strengthened the spirit of friendship which was yielding socio-economic benefits for both countries.

Togbe Afede gave the commendation at a brief reception in his honour in Lome, when he led prominent chiefs and some 1,500 Ewes from Ghana to Notse in Togo, their ancestral home for this year’s Agbogboza Festival.

Togbe Afede was accompanied by Madam Dzifa Gomashie, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.

The cultural festival attracts Ewes across the globe annually and offers them the opportunity to visit historical sites and interact with their kith and kin.

The festival, on the theme: “Using Culture to Promote Peace and Development,” also attracted members of the diplomatic corps and Ministers of State of the Republic of Togo.

Togbe Afede said numbers mattered in economic growth and challenged Togo and Ghana to work towards the unity of West African States for a reliable regional market.

He said such a market was the only way the sub-region could use to address increasing youth unemployment which no single country could deal with.

He said economic co-operation was what the sub-region needed now and urged its political leadership to take that bold step for the economic emancipation of the people.

“Unity is the key. We must come together for our people. Ghana and Togo must reach out to the others. We have the numbers for economic growth and only need the first step of frantic economic co-operation,” Togbe Afede said.

He called for an economic partnership between individuals and institutions in Togo and Ghana to strengthen the relationship.

Mr Selom Komi Klassou, Prime Minister of Togo, said Agbogboza was further strengthening the relationship between Togo and Ghana and commended Ewes from Ghana for their yearly pilgrimage to Notse.

Togbe Agorkoli IV, Ewefiaga of Togo, said the festival helped in uniting Ewes through the celebration of varied cultures.

He said Ewes had great cultural inheritance, and it was important they congregated yearly to celebrate the cultural diversity in remembrance of their ancestors.