The Atidefe Foundation, a non-governmental organisation has promoted the deforestation agenda of the Akatsi South District in the Volta Region.

The Foundation distributed over 3,500 coconut seedlings to residents over the weekend in a bid to contribute to efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The initiative which is in its fourth year running has so far seen the distribution of close to 9,000 coconut seedlings across the district at no fee.

Motive for establishing the Foundation

The Founder of Atidefe Foundation, Thomas Yao Atidefe, said that gauging the level of poverty in the district, he birthed the idea to undertake initiatives to eradicate poverty and enhance livelihoods, at an early age.

He said that the Foundation was, therefore, established to serve as an umbrella body to administer the implementation of the several initiatives aiming at youth empowerment, job creation, and amassing wealth for the Youth.

He said the coconut distribution initiative was designed to encourage the youth to identify agriculture as a means of livelihood support and engage in it.

Mr. Atidefe asserted that through the distribution exercise, the mindsets of the youth towards agriculture have changed, as they have now embraced it and are investing in it.

“It's true that most of the youth are not interested in Agric, but since the project came in 2022, I can tell you emphatically that the youth have ventured into coconut cultivation. As you can even see some fruits of the tree planted earlier were brought here as evident in the success of the program”, he said.

Youth Empowerment Forum

Mr. Atidefe said that the Foundation has added a forum component of the project to educate the youth, where seasoned professionals in various fields would be scheduled to share their “insight and experience” with the youth.

“Recognising that development takes many forms according to individual needs, I have turned my focus not only to agriculture advancement but also to youth development. Through careful observation of the youth in our constituency, their education, engagement in agriculture, occupation, mental health issues, and living standards, I have identified as pressing needs for improvement."

"With this conviction, I am proud to introduce the Atidefe Foundation Youth Empowerment Forum 2025. An initiative designed to inspire, uplift, educate, and transform our youth on socio-economic opportunities available to them”, he said.

Advice to the Youth

The Volta Region Council of State Representative, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, underscored the significant contribution of agriculture to national development, but identified how daunting it is.

He lauded the Foundation on the initiative which seeks to produce a youthful workforce and entreated the beneficiaries of the coconut distribution to adopt the best strategies to ensure the success of the project.

Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple also entreated the youth to identify the forum as a springboard to greater heights and take advantage of every opportunity to build their capacity, and create a path to success.

“To the young people present, I say this to you, this platform belongs to you, use it wisely, ask honest questions, do not be afraid to learn something new or old. Today’s speakers come from different backgrounds such as governance, business, and academia”, he said.

Traditional Authority Recommendation

The Paramount Chief of Avenor, Togbega Dorglo Anumah VI, highly praised the afforestation initiative adding that it would change the economic dynamics of the traditional area.

“The initiative will contribute to sustaining their lives and make them play important roles in the development of Akatsi North District”, he said.

He advised the youth not to relent in educating themselves or acquiring a skill to enable them to engage in economic ventures to make them financially independent.

He extended an invitation to indigenes of Avenor across the country and in the diaspora to consider extending support back home to build the area.