Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, represented His Excellency former President John Dramani Mahama at this year’s Asogli Teza Yam Festival, celebrated under the distinguished leadership of Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State.
The annual festival, held in Ho, also known as the Oxygen City, brought together traditional leaders, government officials, and citizens from across the country to celebrate the harvest of yam — a crop deeply symbolic of resilience, productivity, and Ghana’s rich agricultural heritage.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the significance of the festival as a reminder of Ghana’s collective duty to preserve its cultural heritage while pursuing sustainable development. She noted that beyond its culinary importance, the yam embodies the strength and perseverance of Ghanaian farmers
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She, however, expressed concern about the growing challenges confronting the country’s agricultural sector, particularly the negative impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on farmlands and water resources.
“As we celebrate this harvest, we must also acknowledge the difficulties facing our farmers. The destruction of fertile lands and water bodies due to illegal mining threatens our very foundation of food security,” she stated.
Reaffirming government’s commitment to empowering farmers, the Vice President referenced ongoing agricultural programmes such as the Feed Ghana Programme and the Nkoko Nkitsinkitsi initiative, which aim to boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and make farming more appealing to the youth.
She also cited the recently launched Adwumawura Programme as a bold step toward supporting Ghanaian youth to develop innovative and enterprising agricultural projects.
“With the Adwumawura Programme, we are sending a clear signal that Ghana’s youth are ready to lead in innovation and enterprise when given the right opportunities,” she added.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang commended Togbe Afede XIV and the people of the Asogli State for preserving and promoting the Yam Festival over the years, describing it as a vital celebration of culture, unity, and gratitude.
“May this yam season bring abundance, peace, and prosperity to the people of Asogli and to the entire nation,” she concluded.
The Asogli Teza Yam Festival remains one of Ghana’s most cherished traditional events, celebrating not only the harvest but also the enduring spirit and cultural identity of the Ewe people.
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