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Some sights and scenes from 2022 Afenorto festival
• Beautiful poet telling her story
Culture and tradition was once again at its best as the Chiefs and people of Mepe Traditional Area in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region climaxed this year’s Afenorto festival at a grand durbar last Saturday.
The 66th edition themed: “TVET Education, Our Future; Development in Peace, Our Heritage”, came with beautiful display of the people’s heritage including music, dance and other fun activities as dignitaries from far and near joined the celebrations. 
homage to Torgbe Korsi VI,
Manklalo of Mepe Traditional Area
IV, Queen Mother of
Mepe Traditional Area
Volta Regional Minister
exchanging pleasantries
with Torgbe Korsi Nego VI
came in fancy dresses
The festival, among other things, was to renew the spirit of togetherness and raise funds for development of the area.
Activities for the this year’s celebration included health screening, clean-up, inter schools gala, cultural dancing and drumming competition and procession of the Chiefs of the five clans of the area.
Dignitaries at the durbar included the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, District Chief Executive of North Tongu, Mr. Osborn Devine Fenu, and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, among others.
Torgbe Korsi Nego VI, Manklalo of Mepe Traditional Area, highlighted the essence of TVET and appealed to the government to support development projects in the area.
Dr Letsa also appealed to the people to maintain peace and unity as the government continued to deliver on the developmental agenda for the region.
Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on his part, commended the chiefs and people for the progress made over the years and called on citizens to rally behind the traditional authority of the area.
‘Afenorto’ festival translated to mean “Period of Rest at Home” started over six decades ago and has evolved over the years but its underlying characteristics have always been maintained.
The Mepe Traditional Area/Council has five clans: Dzagbaku, Adzigo, Sevie, Gbanvie and Akorvie. Each of them is represented by unique colours and symbols together with their respective histories on how they migrated to present day Mepe.
By Spectator Reporter
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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There is strength in diversity; let’s live in peace – Zanetor Rawlings urges Ghanaians
Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to value the peace the country enjoys and to see diversity as a source of strength.
Speaking at the National Youth Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre under the theme “Igniting Potential; Inspiring Change”, she warned against being lured into conflicts and divisions fueled by reckless statements from politicians, traditional leaders, religious figures, or academics.
According to her, many young people have no idea what it means to live in a country torn apart by war, and therefore must not take Ghana’s peace for granted.
She stressed that the harmony among different ethnic and regional groups should be protected at all costs, since it is peace that allows citizens to gather freely and safely.
Dr. Zanetor said Ghana’s development depends on embracing diversity and working together.
She urged the youth to tap into this strength so that Ghana would continue to shine as the “Black Star” of Africa and serve as an example for other nations.
She expressed appreciation to the participants for attending the conference and asked for God’s blessings on the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
