Klefe Paramount Chief urges youth to invest in education, calls for urgent support for technical institute

The Paramount Chief of Klefe Traditional Area, Togbe Koku Dzaga XI, has urged the youth of Klefe and Zendo to take charge of their future by enrolling in the Klefe Technical Institute rather than allowing youthful distractions and indulgence to derail their destinies.

Speaking at the 2025 Klefe Yam Festival, Togbe Dzaga reminded the youth that “it doesn’t take long for the bud to become a dry leaf,” stressing that the time to build a secure future is now. He warned against substance abuse and social vices, saying true change and progress are driven by “those with vision, purpose, and determination,” not by those who waste their potential. He further encouraged young people struggling with substance use to seek help at the community health center and take steps toward recovery and growth.

The Paramount Chief also made a strong appeal to government agencies, development partners, and citizens to help complete critical infrastructure projects at the Klefe Technical Institute in the Ho Municipality. Projects currently under construction include a five-unit student dormitory and a teacher’s residence, both initiated through community fundraising and self-help efforts.

He called on the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to provide an additional classroom block and an e-learning center, as well as essential facilities such as a school administration block, boys’ and girls’ dormitories, a dining hall with kitchen, an assembly hall, and toilet facilities. These, he said, are necessary to ensure the smooth running of the school and to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Togbe Dzaga also raised concerns about environmental threats facing the community, including illegal stone mining, plastic pollution, and deforestation. He warned that these activities were endangering farmlands, fisheries, and the health of the local population.

“Human activities are having a devastating impact on the planet, leading to reduced crop yields, depleted fish stocks, increased health risks, and unpredictable weather patterns. It’s essential that we take responsibility for our actions and become better stewards of the environment, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of future generations. The old adage ‘nobody cheats nature’ rings true – if we fail to act now, the consequences will be severe. I urge everyone to take environmental responsibilities seriously and work together to mitigate the damage already done,” Togbe said.

Responding to his appeal, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Alex Segbefia, announced that the government will immediately provide resources to complete the dormitory and teacher accommodation projects. He added that GETFund has been directed to assess the institute’s needs for inclusion in its next funding cycle.

Evans Kwame Buame, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, described the Klefe Technical Institute as a “young but fast-growing school” shaping the future of local youth. He noted that despite being absorbed by the government only last year, the school, with about 150 students, is still operating with just four permanent teachers and relies heavily on volunteers.

Mr. Buame stressed the urgent need for additional facilities, including a dining hall, completion of dormitories, an administration block, and a school vehicle. He appealed to the Klefe diaspora to support the institute, which currently offers electricals and catering programmes but plans to expand to building and construction and other skill-based courses in the coming academic year.

He also echoed the Chief’s message to the youth, urging them to shun drugs and social vices and embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to self-reliance and sustainable community development.

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