Tafi Abuife chiefs invite Volta Regional Minister to 2027 Kente-Keponte Festival

A delegation of chiefs and elders from Tafi Abuife in the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region has paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, to officially invite him to the 2027 edition of the community's annual Kente-Keponte Festival.

The delegation, led by Regent Akaa Paul Kasu-Adzadu, said the festival is scheduled to take place in September 2027.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Richard Kasu, a leading member of the festival's Central Planning Committee, said the Kente-Keponte Festival has been celebrated for the past 10 years to promote tourism, preserve the community's cultural heritage and drive local development.

He explained that the people of Tafi Abuife are Guan farmers who have lived in the area for centuries and have coexisted peacefully with the Ewe people, who later migrated from the ancient town of Notsie. According to him, the people of Ando subsequently settled in the community and introduced Kente weaving, which eventually inspired the establishment of the Kente-Keponte Festival about a decade ago.

Mr. Kasu also acknowledged the contribution of former Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Kosi Kedem, who constructed a facility to support and promote Kente weaving in the community.

The delegation further appealed to the Regional Minister to convey an invitation to Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to grace the 2027 festival.

As a symbol of appreciation and the community's rich weaving tradition, the chiefs and elders presented the Regional Minister with a handcrafted Batakari (smock) made from locally woven Kente, along with other gifts intended for both him and the Vice President.

Responding to the invitation, Hon. James Gunu commended the people of Tafi Abuife for sustaining the Kente-Keponte Festival over the years, describing it as an important platform for promoting culture, peace, unity and socio-economic development.

He assured the delegation that he would attend the festival and personally extend their invitation to the Vice President before providing feedback.

The Regional Minister also praised the exceptional quality of the Kente fabric presented to him, noting that it reflected the immense craftsmanship and creativity of the people of the Volta Region.

He said the region possesses unique products that deserve greater promotion to create economic opportunities and improve livelihoods.

Hon. Gunu further commended Mr. Richard Kasu for his contributions to community development, highlighting his civic engagement and the work of the Community Focus Foundation Ghana. He specifically acknowledged the foundation's organisation of the first Volta Water Dialogue in 2025 and its subsequent construction of mechanised boreholes in several communities across the region.

According to the Minister, Mr. Kasu exemplifies the dedication and enterprise for which the people of Tafi are known.

Hon. Gunu also underscored Tafi's importance to the region's tourism industry, pointing to the internationally acclaimed Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, a community-managed eco-tourism destination established in 1993.

The sanctuary, which is home to more than 1,000 Mona monkeys, has long been protected under local traditional beliefs that regard the animals as sacred royal guards. Today, it attracts visitors from across the world who enjoy guided forest walks and the unique experience of hand-feeding the free-roaming monkeys.

He noted that the sanctuary has become a model for community-based eco-tourism by generating revenue for local residents while preserving both the natural environment and the area's cultural heritage. The site also offers visitors authentic homestay experiences, traditional drumming and cultural performances.

The Minister recalled that in May 2025, he led a strategic familiarisation tour of the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and Cultural Village with key tourism stakeholders to promote the region's eco-tourism potential, assess local development needs and support future trade and tourism initiatives.

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