Togbe Afede “A True Patriot”

The sod-cutting ceremony of the Sunon Asogli Kpone Power Plant by President Kufuor is a true testament to the courage, determination, ingenuity, dedication and commitment of Togbe Afede to the economic development and prosperity of our country. The Sunon Asogli Power is a 560 megawatts thermal project which would create 1,000 jobs. It is the first overseas project of the Shenzhen Energy Group (SEG) and the brainchild of Togbe Afede.

• West Africa Gas Pipeline

Last month, Togbe Afede helped to organize a major a major conference in Accra which brought together member states engaged in the development of the West African Gas Pipeline. The Conference which was addressed by the President discussed the modalities, benefits and costing of the development and implementation of the (WAGP). The WAGP is probably the single biggest strategic project being developed by West African States.

Its strategic importance to the prosperity of most African states is huge. Togbe Afede has plans to engage our local Universities to develop appropriate courses which would create the relevant skills needed for WAGP project. It is not all doom and gloom in Ghana. It was nice to see Ghanaian entrepreneurs, economists and, engineers interacting and discussing a multi-billion dollar project. Folks, it can be done if we get our act together and get some of the “brainy critics” on the web back home.

• 5 Year Economic Development Plan

To crown it all, Togbe Afede together with economic development experts locally and abroad is in the process of developing a 5 Year Strategic Economic Development Plan initially for the Volta Region. An Economic Plan which would help harness the potential of the region and create an economic environment for inward investors and Ghanaian entrepreneurs to view the Region as a satellite for growth.

Why this article? Simple; if all our traditional Chiefs were to dispense their energies in working with outside investors to develop their local communities instead of engaging in bitter and expensive disputes, Ghana would be a better place.

Nungua issue

Once again I am using this platform to plead for a compromise solution between Nii Odai Ayiku and King Welentsi (2 brother’s conending for the Nungua Stool). I have tried and acted as an honest broker between the two factions. Both men are honorable, decent and God- fearing. Nii Odai Ayiku is the eldest.

We do not need reminding that Nungua Stool lands, which include Spintex Road is fast becoming the commercial centre of Accra. Major Banks, Shops, Hotels etc are all springing up each day. Many Diasporas have invested their live savings in properties in the conurbation. Therefore it sounds to reason that the prosperity and peace of Sakumuno, Nungua, Lashibi, Tema is something that we must all crave for. Indeed the prosperity of all our country including Bawku, Yendi and Anlo.

The sad thing is the majority of young people in Nungua are jobless and inner Nungua has not seen any major developments since Independence. My “mammy” at Kenkey House in Nungua said to me – “My son we need peace in Nungua”. Readers please do pass by at Kenkey House, the best in Accra.

As a good friend of both Chiefs, I tried in my “small way” to bring peace between the two brothers. The gap between the 2 brothers is not insurmountable. Other prominent Ga Elders and people can and must get involved before it is too late. What happened at Anlo, Bawku and Yendi is a product of our “blame-culture”. No- one wants to take any responsibility in acting as an honest broker during conflict. Indeed no-one wants to take responsibility for anything. No culture of resignation, it is my fault, I would do better next time or it would not happen again

African’s in general and Ghanaians in particular are at their best when it comes to the blame culture. Just take a close look at some examples: Intellectuals from the day of Adam blames our poverty and lack of development on colonialism. Ordinary Ghanaians blame the conflict in the North on the product of lack of understanding by our Northern Brothers. The internecine conflict in Bawku is blamed on someone stealing something. The Anlo conflict is Kufuor’s doing; AIDS is the cause of witchcraft.

The increase in armed robbery is the fault of the Government and the hopeless Police. To crown it all a prominent Pastor who would remain nameless said to me the failure of his children not doing well in exams was the fault of her senior sister.

For me, my only gripe is my failure to pay my Council Tax in time was the delay of Lufthansa last 2 weeks to get me to Cheshire.

We blame the whole world minus ourselves.

When I decided to act as an honest broker between Nii Odai Ayiku and King Welentsi no one paid me a cedi neither did Nii Odai Ayiku or King Welentsi and their respective elders said “Akwasi go to hell”. They were genuinely interested in smoking the peace pipe. I tried my best, going to and fro delivering messages and pleading for an honorable solution. I would continue to act as a go- between for the 2 parties till I have no energy left.

However, I am a small fish in Ghana there are bigger “Ga Tilapia’s” who must get involved at this stage to help light the white flag. The Regional Minister and Accra Mayor are seen as biased and non-helpful. The Regional Minister is brilliant in sending the Police to quell disturbances but lousy and useless in acting as an honest broker in resolving the conflict. I am 100 percent certain that the Regional Minister and Mayor are part of the problem. They must prove me wrong.

Please, Senior/Elders/ Opinion Leaders of Ga – Get involved for God’s Sake.

Togbe Afede is an example to all of us. I am bloody proud to be closely associated with the Asogli Stool, the Queen Mother, elders and kingmakers of Ho. Togbe Afede has accepted me as a “junior brother” and I am proud to be a “honorary member of the Asogli Traditional Area. I have attended meetings at Ho with Togbe and supported him in all areas of his sterling work. We constantly discussed how together we can make a difference. The elders, community of Asogli have accepted me as a friend a Ghanaian and for just being a human being.

Working in partnership with Togbe Afede, key stakeholders, young people and all the people of the Volta region I believe would bear fruit. Hopefully it would mean the people of Volta Region in particular and the good folks of Ghana in general would benefit. The Volta Region can be transformed into a place to invest, live, work and visit.

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.