By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
The venerable Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, joined the Chiefs and people of Effutu on Saturday to commemorate the 2026 edition of the Aboakyer Festival, a spectacular celebration of heritage, valor, and identity that this year coincided with the 30th anniversary of the enstoolment of Oma Odefe Neenyi Ghartey VII.
In her keynote address, the Vice President lauded the festival as an enduring platform for rediscovering, preserving, and projecting Ghana’s rich cultural tapestry. She described Aboakyer not merely as pageantry, but as a profound expression of communal memory and indigenous innovation that must be safeguarded for posterity.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang extolled Oma Odefe Neenyi Ghartey VII for three decades of visionary leadership, asserting that his reign has become a lodestar for traditional governance and socio-economic mobilization.
“His Majesty’s stewardship exemplifies the indispensable nexus between tradition and transformation,” she declared to rapturous applause.
Underscoring the administration’s resolve to harness culture as a catalyst for development, the Vice President announced that Government is prioritizing a suite of strategic interventions to reposition Effutu as a preeminent tourism enclave. Central to this blueprint are accelerated investments in access roads, cultural infrastructure, and creative enterprises designed to magnetize visitors, generate sustainable livelihoods, and invigorate local economic activity.
She reaffirmed Government’s unwavering commitment to landmark national initiatives. The establishment of the Women’s Development Bank, she noted, will democratize access to finance for market women, fish processors, and small-scale entrepreneurs who constitute the backbone of Effutu’s economy.
Further, the Vice President disclosed that the 24-hour economy policy is advancing in earnest, with preparatory work underway for the rollout of nationwide 24-hour markets that will expand commercial opportunities and enhance productivity.
On youth empowerment, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted Adwumawura, a flagship programme engineered to incubate ingenuity and equip young Ghanaians to transmute their ideas into bankable enterprises. She stressed that Ghana’s demographic dividend can only be realized through deliberate investment in skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Strategic infrastructure remains pivotal to the Government’s vision
She emphasized that the Kasoa–Winneba road continues to be a priority undertaking, given its catalytic importance to regional commerce, mobility, and economic integration.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang commended the people of Effutu for their enduring peace and social cohesion, describing it as the “unshakeable foundation upon which development is anchored.” She urged citizens to remain steadfast in unity, noting that the festival’s resplendence is itself a testament to what collaboration can achieve.
“As we revel in the pageantry of Aboakyer, let us be reminded that progress is not episodic. It is sustained by shared purpose, mutual respect, and collective endeavor,” she intoned.
The Vice President expressed confidence that the Aboakyer Festival will continue to burgeon in prominence and prestige, serving both as a custodian of Effutu’s identity and as a beacon for cultural tourism in Ghana.
“May Aboakyer grow from strength to strength, and may Effutu rise as a citadel of heritage and prosperity,” she concluded.
