The Paramount Chief of Gbledi Traditional Area in the Volta Region, Togbega Homatekpor V, has given the origin of the name ‘Afadjato.’

Afadjato is the highest mountain in Ghana, located on the lands of Gbledi Gbogame and Liati, in the Volta Region. It attracts thousands of tourists across the world every year.

Speaking on the Ghana Month edition of Joy FM‘s ‘Showbiz A-Z’ transmitted live from the foot of the mountain on Saturday, March 11, 2023, Togbega explained how the name came about.

According to him, the original name of the mountain was ‘avadzeto’, meaning a mountain that is shaped like water-yam.  

“When our ancestors came to settle at the foot of the mountain, they climbed the mountain and found out there was a leaf that resembled that of a water yam. And then if you look at the mountain, it is of a conical shape. It’s just like a mound. And therefore they thought to name it ‘avadzeto’. ‘Avadze’ means water yam,” he said.

He said later the name was corrupted by foreigners who had difficulty in pronouncing it. It then changed to Afadjato which has since been accepted as the name for the mountain.

The Afadjato edition of ‘Showbiz A-Z, was part of Joy FM’s Ghana Month activities to promote Ghana’s culture in March, the month of Ghana’s independence. 

After a successful edition of the outdoor programme in Cape Coast in 2021, there was a encore in Kumasi where the team discovered Asanteman’s rich tourist centres and culture. 

The programme also hosted Togbe Adabra IV, Mankrado of Gbledi-Gbogame and the Divisional Chief of Gbledi Tongor / actor; Alexander Kwame Nketia, Volta Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority, and Chief Moomen, poet, playwright and creative entrepreneur. 

The Acting Chairman of the Afadjato-Tagbo Eco-Tourism Centre, Kuma Gavi, was also on the panel.

Hosted by Kwame Dadzie, the Afadjato edition of the show was powered by Joy Entertainment, supported by Adansi Travels.