Taviefe-Deme, Sreme renew unity through Yam Festival

The twin communities of Taviefe-Deme and Sreme in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region have reaffirmed their unity and dedication to development through a joint celebration of their annual Yam Festival. This event, held in September, serves as a time for the communities to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and to pray for good health, peace, and prosperity.

Addressing the attendees, Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu, Member of Parliament for Ho Central, praised the communities for their accountability and commitment to development. He highlighted how the funds raised during last year's festival were utilized to construct a dormitory block for the technical school and to advance plans for a community center.

Kpotosu encouraged the residents to continue their efforts and invited them to present their progress at the upcoming festival to help stakeholders identify areas in need of additional support. He cautioned that without translating collective contributions into tangible development, the community's efforts would not yield the desired results.

Kpotosu also addressed the importance of laying strong foundations for institutional development, encouraging teachers to be proactive in their roles and suggesting that such efforts could attract support from individuals, including those residing abroad. He urged residents to complement government efforts by establishing businesses and creating employment opportunities, emphasizing that the government alone could not provide jobs for everyone.

Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of embracing technical and vocational education, asserting that practical skills are just as valuable as academic qualifications. The MP urged parents to recognize the diverse learning abilities of their children, rather than dismissing those who do not excel academically at an early age.

Stephen Adom, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, echoed the importance of unity in community progress. He praised the two communities for their joint efforts and urged residents to maintain their cooperation rather than celebrating their festivals separately. Adom assured the communities of his support and had provided essential building materials for the construction of the proposed community center.

He anticipated that the facility would be completed and inaugurated by the following year, and pledged to continue supporting the project. Adom also cautioned against allowing chieftaincy disputes to foment unrest, urging the youth to unite, support their chiefs, and work together to foster peace and progress.

Togbe Dr. Kpegba Agbakpe I, the Afetorfia of Taviefe-Sreme, called for a renewed commitment to the unity that existed between the two communities in the past. He lamented that chieftaincy disputes and conflicting oral histories had weakened the historical ties between Taviefe-Deme and Sreme. He stressed the importance of learning from the past, restoring the relationship between the communities, and directing their collective efforts towards development.

Togbe Agbakpe I expressed optimism that the renewed cooperation would persist beyond this year's celebration and lead to further progress.

Zipuitor Atafiagbi, the Chief of Taviefe-Sreme, emphasized that the reunion of the youth from Taviefe-Deme and Sreme through the festival was a crucial step towards rebuilding the relationship between the two communities. He described this year's celebration as the first joint Yam Festival of its kind since 2002 and noted that the decision to reorganize the communities had already produced positive outcomes.