The Paramount Chief and President of the Dzodze Traditional Council, Torgbui Dzoku V, has called on his people and the entire Ketu North Municipality to unite and collectively fight against poverty, which he described as “our common enemy.”
“Let us remember that we all have a common enemy — poverty. Let us get together, wrestle against this enemy, and purchase a prosperous future for our generations,” Torgbui Dzoku said.
Speaking during the 23rd edition of the Dzodze De Za (Oil Palm Festival) celebration at the weekend, Torgbui Dzoku said the festival symbolized the enduring spirit of their ancestors who fought for freedom, equality, and collective survival.
He said the occasion should also serve as a reminder to bridge the generational gap by instilling in the youth the values of hard work, unity, and resilience.
“It is a day to remind ourselves of the shared values that unite us as a people; a day of reflection and stocktaking; and a day to seize the opportunity to set new developmental goals,” he said.
Torgbui Dzoku emphasised that development goals must focus on the youth, who continue to demand better living conditions, jobs, and sustainable income.

“That is what they deserve, and it is the legacy we must leave behind for them to continue when our work is done,” he noted.
He emphasised that peace and unity remained the bedrock of development, adding that traditional leaders and citizens must put aside their differences and work together to create the right environment for progress.
Reflecting on his tenure as Paramount Chief, Torgbui Dzoku lauded the establishment of the Dzodze District Assembly, which had since been upgraded to municipal status, describing it as “one of the greatest developments to ever happen” to the area.
He said the Assembly, when supported by traditional leaders and stakeholders, could drive the developmental aspirations of the people.
“We need to move away from selfish interests and build bridges over the divisions that have held us back. Let us welcome the prosperity and opportunities this government has in store for us,” he urged.
He commended Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Eric Edem Agbana, Member of Parliament for Ketu North, and Rev. Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive, for their continuous efforts to promote development, stressing that collaboration among traditional leaders and political actors would accelerate progress.
In his remarks, Rev Amenaki, said development was not the sole responsibility of government but a collective duty that required the active participation of all citizens — from traditional leaders to the youth.
“Development demands unity. It requires our traditional authorities who safeguard our customs and our youth who must turn their energy into enterprise. Let us rise above partisanship and work together for the prosperity of Ketu North,” he said.
He further drew lessons from the oil palm tree, the central symbol of the festival, noting that every part of the tree had value — just as every citizen had a role to play in building a prosperous community.
“As we celebrate De Za 2025, let this festival renew in us a deeper sense of unity, discipline, and self-reliance. Together, let us transform Ketu North into a model of peace, productivity, and progress,” Rev Amenaki added.