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Cultivation of Irish potato, apple and grapes to start again in Avatime after 80 years
Almost eight decades after the cultivation of Irish potatoes, apples and grapes was abandoned in the Avatime traditional area as a result of World War II, all is now set to revamp the industry.
The Osie of Avatime, Osie Adza Tekpor VII who disclosed this to The Spectator in Vane on Tuesday, said that the venture, which would create jobs for more than 1000 young people in all the seven Avatime towns, has very bright prospects for export and also from the local hospitality industry.
He said that the endeavour was also Avatime’s response to the Planting for Export initiative.
“There are ready markets in the restaurants and hotel industries in nearby Togo and Ghana as well,” said the Osie.
He stated that the move which involved local investors was also meant to diversify the economy of Avatime, which had for years thrived on cocoa, coffee, oil palm and other crops.
The cultivation of Irish potatoes, apple and grapes was introduced in Avatime by the German missionaries in the first half of the 19th century, and the crops flourished under the cold weather of about 18 degrees Celsius, which also supported the production of tea bountifully.
Osie Adza Tekpor gave the assurance that there were vast lands available for the project and urged investors to take up concessions for the lucrative undertaking.
“We will collaborate with the Ho West District Assembly and the District Department of Agriculture for the smooth implementation of the project,” said the Osie.
According to him, the traditional authorities were presently in the process of negotiating with the owners of family lands to make acres available for the project, which he said would benefit generations yet unborn.
Osie Adza Tekpor gave the assurance that the project had come to stay adding that, “We do not want our children to migrate to the cities in search of non-existent jobs while they can rake all the fortunes here.”
The seven Avatime towns are also known for the production of brown rice (Amu) which thrives on the slopes of the mountains.
They are Vane, Fume, Gbadzeme, Amedzofe, Biakpa, Dzogbefeme and Dzokpe.
Osei Adza Tekpor urged Ghanaians to eat the highly nutritious brown rice.
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ho West, Mr Ernest Victor Apau has described the move by the Avatime traditional authorities as timely and appropriate and gave the assurance that the assembly would give it the necessary support.
He said that feasibility studies were underway to embark on similar ventures in the Kpoeta and Kpedze areas.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Vane
The Africa Investment Network has entered a new partnership with 17 Asset Management to expand investment opportunities for Africans in the diaspora.
The two organisations will work together to open more pathways for diaspora investors, provide better data on markets, and connect investors to viable projects across the continent.
The partnership will focus on mapping investment opportunities across countries and sectors, building a Diaspora Pathways Program to guide new investors, and creating a shared research platform that provides market insights, returns benchmarks, regulatory updates and sector outlooks.
The two groups will also develop a trade and deal catalogue to help match businesses with partners.
As part of the collaboration, both institutions will host investment roadshows through the Global Africa Summit series, starting with GAS Accra from December 11 to 12 at the Alisa Hotel.
The event will showcase deals, hold sector briefings and connect investors with government and private sector actors.
Africa Investment Network founder and Chief Executive Jane Reindorf Osei noted that diaspora capital remains one of Africa’s strongest advantages because it is patient, purpose driven and closely linked to local development outcomes.
She explained that the partnership will help direct more diaspora investment into areas where it can make the most impact.
Chairman of 17 Asset Management, John Morris, highlighted that the joint effort will blend strong investment design with Africa Investment Network’s networks and convening power.
He stressed that improved research and compliant market access will give diaspora investors more confidence across different markets.
The two institutions will open their diaspora investment platform in the second quarter of 2026, followed by the launch of a co investment window.
Investment roadshows will also be held in North America, the Caribbean and key African centres next year.
Africa Investment Network and 17 Asset Management invited governments, development finance institutions, family offices, asset managers and other partners to support deal creation, risk sharing and market building initiatives aimed at boosting diaspora participation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu insists that neither President Mahama nor the National Democratic Congress has filed any petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her two deputies.
In a one on one Interview with GHone, he explained that the President only forwarded petitions he received, as required by law, and has not initiated any action against the EC leadership.
According to him, the identities and motives of the petitioners remain unknown to government, and the Presidency is not involved in that part of the process.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that while the NDC has openly disagreed with some actions of the Electoral Commission in the past, the party has not submitted any petition asking for the removal of the EC Chair or her deputies.
He noted that comments by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, questioning the EC’s competence, do not amount to a formal petition.
He added that criticism of public officials is normal and does not automatically translate into a request for their removal.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that once a petition is received, the President’s only role is to forward it to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice then decides if the allegations have merit. If they do, a committee is set up to investigate.
He said those named in the petitions will be officially informed by the Chief Justice, not the Presidency.
They will then have the opportunity to appear before the committee, respond to the claims, and provide any evidence in their defence.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed confidence that the process will be fair and will protect the rights of all those involved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
