The chiefs and people of Avatime in the Ho West District of the Volta Region have celebrated their annual Amu Festival, also known as the Brown Rice Festival, at Avatime Gbadzeme. The festival, themed “Sustaining Avatime as a Climate-Resilient Community through Brown Rice Production, Culture, and Eco-Tourism,” showcased the community’s cultural heritage and emphasized eco-friendly practices and sustainable development.
Paramount Chief Osie Adza Tekpor VII called for unity among Avatime communities, stressing that it is essential for overcoming challenges. He highlighted brown rice production and eco-tourism as potential pillars of the local economy. The chief of Avatime Gbadzeme, Okusie Okorforobuor Agyemang VII, showcased the community’s tourism potential, including Mountain Gemi, Ote Waterfalls, and ancestral stones, but appealed for improved road networks.
Former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honourable Edward Doe Adjaho, commended Avatime’s focus on sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism, encouraging the community to vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to secure infrastructure development.
The festival featured exhibitions of locally grown brown rice dishes, climaxing a series of activities celebrating Avatime’s rich cultural heritage and commitment to climate resilience.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
