He lauded the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative, hoping it would help bring corrupt officers to book and not just remain a mantra on the lips and in books.

Togbe Afede was speaking at the grand durbar of the 2025 Asogoi Te Za (Yam Festival), of which the Vice President, Prof Nanaa Jane Opoku Agyemang and other distinguished public servants, traditional leaders, among others, were in attendance. It was themed “Together in Unity and Prosperity, we build a just, peaceful, prosperous nation”.

“Recently, we seem to have succeeded in making the beautiful name Ghana almost synonymous with the word corruption. And that is why I like ORAL, the Operation Recover All Loot. I must commend the government for it and to tell the government to stay the course to recover all that they have looted from the state coffers”, he said.

Commitment to fighting corruption

Togbe Afede said that his fortunes are intertwined with those of Ghana’s and would suffer replicating effects if Ghana retrogresses, hence he would continue to fight corruption, which he identified as a major stumbling block to Ghana’s development.

He lamented how corruption had robbed the resource-rich country of development due to the greed of those entrusted with the duty to lead and develop the country.

He explained that the unfortunate development has led to desperation among the citizenry, resulting in emigration, high incidents of crime, and suicide.

Togbe Afede stressed the need to strengthen the constitution, anti-corruption institutions, and impose stringent punishment for corrupt officials “to make corruption unattractive”.

“We have to ensure that our institutions that have to fight corruption work. So, we have to strengthen our constitution, in particular the likes of the judiciary, Economic and Organised Crime Organisation, of course the Office of the Special Prosecutor, all of them need strengthening to ensure that we are all encouraged to pursue the path of deepest honesty in all of our work both in the private and public sectors”, he said.

He called for an attitudinal change among the citizenry, hoping corruption would be reduced to the barest minimum to save the public purse and promote development.

22 years of reign on the Asogli stool

This year’s festival marked the 22nd anniversary of Togbe Afede’s reign as the leader of the Asogli State.

He acknowledged the support for his bid to harness development in the Asogli area, applauding the beginning of the construction of road infrastructure under the Big Push Project, stretching from Asikuma, through Ho to Aflao.

“The President came along and surprised us with the Big Push, an agenda that has gladdened the hearts of people of the Volta Region because of the critical place the road sector has in the Big Push agenda. And of course, the emphasis that it places on the Volta Region roads”, he said.

He also highlighted plans by the Tema Development Corporation to begin a national residential housing drive initiative in Ho.

Source: Fred Quame Asare

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The ‘Agyapadie’ document alleges a plot by some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some individuals from Akyem to capture and exploit national resources.

But President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rubbished its content, stating it is fabricated by political opponents.

However, reflecting on past experiences, Togbe Afede XIV recounted how his businesses were targeted to get him out of the way.

He was speaking at a durbar to receive the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama for his Volta Regional Campaign tour.

“I found it difficult to believe that, that was a genuine document but of course, certain things we go through gave us thoughts to the contrary. I recall that in 2019 thereabouts, we received a letter for us to sign, pre-written in our names, to resign from the group of companies that advises the government on its bond issues. That came as a shock.

“When I reflect on some of these things, the overlord said, I begin to wonder,” he stated.

Play attached audio for more

Source: Adomonline.com

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He described the former President’s 24-hour economy policy as a panacea to help recover Ghana’s ailing economy, create jobs, and increase the country’s foreign exchange through exports when implemented in the manufacturing sector.

Togbe Afede was speaking when Mr Mahama led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on him in Ho on the first day of the NDC’s campaign tour of the Volta Region.

“Let me congratulate you, first of all on your 24-hour economy policy. As someone who believes in hard work, I believe this is what we need. It is obvious that the application of this policy in the manufacturing sector can indeed be a game changer”, he said.

He indicated that, machinery in the manufacturing sector is designed to keep running 24 hours to maximize profit and hence must be used as such.

He said the 24-hour Economy Policy would help Ghana expand its production capacity to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), which seeks to promote intra-trade on the African continent.

“It has been established that we are far behind those countries currently in the pilot phase as far as export to our counterparts are concerned.

“I am aware that Nigeria actually launched an ambitious $50 billion program to expand production and, therefore, export to Africa, taking advantage of AfCFTA.

“So I think your policy is a sure way of making us ready to also export to other African countries and of course by so doing expand employment. The factory which just runs for 8 hours, one shift, decides to do 3 shifts”, he said.

He further indicated the proposed 24-hour policy would reduce the cost of production and promote competition “so I think it is a great policy and it deserves all of our support.”

The revered traditional ruler also lauded the NDC Flagbearer’s plan to involve the youth in decision-making at all levels of government since the future belongs to the youth.

Togbe Afede also sides with Mr Mahama’s proposal to review the payment of ex-gratia to Article 17 officeholders and congratulates him on his exoneration in the Airbus scandal.

“I want to wish you, on behalf of all of our people, success in all your endeavours as you tour the length and breadth of our region. Thank you very much for coming”, he concluded.

Source: Fred Quame Asare

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It noted its concern about “the allegations making the rounds about all manner of ploys, mayhem and kamikaze tactics being planned to create confusion on voting day.”

A statement, signed by the President of Asogli Traditional Area, Togbe Afede XIV, cautioned that these threats of probable violence during election day are inimical to the country’s peace and development.

“As we prepare to go to the polls on December 7, we ask all Ghanaians to keep in mind our important responsibility to contribute our utmost to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. We all need, at this crucial time, to remember our ‘pledge to be faithful and loyal to Ghana, (our) motherland’,” the statement said.

The Asogli State Council is, therefore, calling on the Electoral Commission (EC) and all politicians to ensure professional execution of their respective duties. It specifically asked that the EC makes peace its primary objective during the general election.

In the December 4-dated statement, the Council also advised the nation’s security agencies to carry out their duties without fear of favour.

Togbe Afede IV also reminded all eligible voters to exercise their franchise, as “indifference will destroy our democracy, and create a breeding ground for undesirable outcomes.”

Below is the full statement: