At this year’s Apetorku Gbordzi Festival in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region, the people of Dagbamate once again showcased their remarkable spirit of self-reliance — but also issued a heartfelt appeal for long-overdue government support.

Speaking during the festivities, Torgbui Klu Agudzeamegah II, Chief of Dagbamate, noted that while his people have built their schools, electrified their community, and established a modern health centre, they are unable to construct their roads.

“We do almost everything for ourselves,” Torgbui said to rapturous applause. “But our roads are now our biggest enemy. They’re destroying our vehicles, increasing accidents, and making it difficult to transport goods to market. This, we cannot fix on our own. Roads are simply too capital-intensive.”

Celebration with a purpose: A future for the youth

Though the festival was deeply spiritually—centered on renewing vows to God and seeking blessings, it also celebrated a major milestone in youth development.

The community commissioned a newly built Vocational Training Centre and held a sod-cutting ceremony for a hostel facility that will house apprentices from near and far.

“This project is close to our hearts, because not every young person can go to university,” the Chief explained. “But that should not mean they are left behind. With a trade, they can take care of themselves, their families, and their future.”

The centre, already operational, can accommodate around 100 students. The planned hostel, once completed, will house up to 200 apprentices in 128 self-contained rooms — each shared by two occupants and equipped with sanitation facilities.

Leading without support

Torgbui Klu used the occasion to voice concern over how Dagbamate’s resilience and initiative are often misunderstood by the authorities. “Because we do things ourselves, they assume we don’t need help. But that’s unfair,” he said. “Even our electrification project — we funded most of it. Our streetlights, our clinic, our school buildings — we did all that with our own hands and resources.”

As a striking example, the Chief described how the community built and equipped its health facility, complete with a modern laboratory.

Only after the centre was completed and staffed did the government officially recognise it and upgrade it from a CHPS compound to a health centre, taking over staffing responsibilities.

“That’s the only visible support we’ve received from the government,” he said. “And while we’re grateful for it, we need more — especially for our roads.”

A call for partnership, not pity

Torgbui Klu Agudzeamegah II emphasised that Dagbamate is not seeking handouts, but rather a partnership with the government to amplify the impact of their efforts, especially in areas that are beyond their capacity.

He commended the current government’s focus on technical and vocational education, noting that the community’s efforts are well aligned with the national vision. “We are ready to help train the youth. But we need support to expand — more classrooms, better facilities, and safe roads to bring in students from across the region.”

The bigger dream: An industrial hub

Looking ahead, the Chief shared his bold vision to transform Dagbamate into an industrial and commercial hub. “If we develop, people will come — whether they have to swim or fly. But we must have roads to get there,” he said.

As the Apetorku Gbordzi Festival came to a close, one message rang loud and clear: Dagbamate stands as a beacon of grassroots-led development. But even the most self-reliant communities, as Torgbui Klu passionately conveyed, need timely and fair support from the government to truly thrive.