The Chief and people of the Mafi Traditional Area in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region have marked the 77th edition of the Mafi Hogbetsotso Festival with a strong call for unity, peace, and love as essential drivers of development.

Speaking at the celebration, the Dufia of Adidome, Togbe Kakaklolo Agyeman V, stated that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and mutual understanding.

He urged traditional leaders and residents of the Mafi Traditional Area to recommit themselves to dialogue, mutual respect, and effective collaboration between traditional authorities and political leadership to attract development projects to the area.

The annual Mafi Hogbetsotso Festival commemorates the origin, shared history, and rich cultural heritage of the Mafi people.

This year’s celebration, held under the theme “Fostering Unity, Peace, and Love for Development,” served as a reminder of the people’s common roots and the need to harness their cultural values to accelerate development within Mafi communities and the larger Ewe society.

Beyond cultural display, the festival also provides an opportunity for reflection, future planning, and resource mobilisation to support development initiatives across the Mafi Traditional Area.

In his welcome address, Togbe Kakaklolo Agyeman V reiterated the importance of unity and collective responsibility, stressing that meaningful development can only be achieved when citizens work together in peace.

The Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, Professor Huch Aryee, used the occasion to challenge the youth of Mafi to actively engage in the era of technological advancement.

He urged them not to remain spectators but to embrace technology, acquire relevant skills, and position themselves to benefit from emerging opportunities.

The District Chief Executive for Central Tongu, Addison Dodzi Mornyuie, encouraged residents to take advantage of the government flagship programmes, particularly in agriculture and other key sectors, to improve their livelihoods and contribute to local development.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, Alexander Hottordze, expressed concern over persistent chieftaincy disputes in the constituency, noting that such conflicts continue to impede development projects and slow progress in the district.

The 77th Mafi Hogbetsotso Festival brought together traditional authorities, political leaders, residents, and dignitaries, reinforcing the shared resolve to promote peace, unity, and development in the Mafi Traditional Area.