Chiefs and people of Somè Traditional Area, in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, have celebrated 2025 edition of Somètutuza held at Agbozume on Saturday.
The 49th edition of the festival was marked to improve the development of the area and was held on the theme, “Consolidating Peace and Unity for Socio-Cultural and Economic Development in Somè Traditional Area.”
Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential advisor on the 24-hour economy, who represented President John Mahama, in his speech thanked the chiefs, people and planning committee members of Somètutuza for the recognition and the invitation.
He said the ’24 hour’ economy programme included a company called ‘Show 24’, which would help strengthen Ghana’s creative youths from the areas to shape their career while protecting Somètutuza which could grow into international event to create job in hospitality, fashion, logistics and digital contents.
He urged the public to have vision, courage, and collective determination for purpose and discipline adding that,” we are all one regardless of our tribe or language, the agenda is reset, and this year’s theme reminds us that development is not only about buildings and roads but also culture, identity and belonging.”
“People of this area contributed to national development through the Kente clothes, music, dance, food, language among others. Your entrepreneur and creative skills must be recognized as national assert which must be protected and celebrated.”
Torgbiga Adamah III, Paramount Chief of Somè Traditional Area, in his address during the festival expressed gratitude to chiefs and people of the Traditional Area for the supports over the years to uplift the development standard of the area.
“Let me use this opportunity to also express my deepest gratitude to President John Drmani Mahama for initiative such as the Sea Defence Project at Agavedzi and Amutsinu to help prevent devastating havoc from the sea”, he said.
Torgbiga Adamah acknowledged the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, led by the sector minister Madam Dzifa Abla Gomashie who doubled as the member of Parliament (MP) of Ketu South constituency for incorporating ‘World Tourism Day’ into the Somètutuza celebration to boost tourism in the area.
He added that the road network in and around the area was bad and promised that Somè Traditional Council had been working hard in collaboration with the Ketu South Municipal Assembly to start work on the deplorable roads by the year 2026.
” Regarding water problems in Agbozume and its environs, l humbly wish to inform you that the MCE and the Assembly are doing everything possible to resolve the challenges very soon.”
In the area of education, Torgbiga Adama said that the traditional council in collaboration with the Seven Sea Salt Company at Adina has been making efforts to promote education in the area and would provide sponsorship to three students to University which would also cover allowances and tuition.
He noted that the traditional council had intended to use the revenues generated from the festival to start a construction of administrative block to enable facilitate works by the council and appealed to the public to support the project.
He urged the citizens of Somè traditional area to remain faithful and united and foster for development works to help improve the progress and betterment of the communities.
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and the MP of Ketu South charged the public to collaborate with the stakeholders and help boost economy of tourism sites in the area for better development and improvement.
The 2025 Somètutuza was attended by dignitaries including Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the NDC, Togbe Dorglo Anumah VI, the Paramount Chief and President of Avenor Traditional Council, and the chairman of the festival, stakeholders, among others amidst drumming and dancing.