Chiefs of Tafi Pay Courtesy Call on Volta Regional Minister

A delegation of chiefs and elders of 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 invite him to the annual Kente-Keporte Festival, which is scheduled to take place on 5th September, 2026.

The delegation, led by Regent Akaa Paul Kasu-Adzadu, also used the occasion to brief the Minister on the significance of the festival and the rich cultural heritage of the people of Tafi (Agbor) state.

Mr Richard Kasu, a leading member of the Central Planning Committee, explained that the Kente-Keporte Festival, which has been celebrated for the past ten years, seeks to promote tourism, preserve the community's cultural heritage and support local development.

He noted that the people of Tafi Abuife are well known for weaving and farming. According to him, Kente weaving is a long-standing tradition that has been practised and passed down from one generation to another. He explained that Kente weaving in the community dates back more than 400 years and can be traced to the 17th century, which eventually inspired the establishment of the Kente-Keporte Festival about a decade ago.

Mr Kasu further explained that the people of Tafi are Guan farmers who have lived in their present settlement for hundreds of years and have coexisted peacefully with the larger Ewe group, who later migrated from the ancient town of Notsie.

He also acknowledged the contribution of the former Member of Parliament, Hon. Kosi Kedem, for constructing a facility to support and promote Kente weaving in the community.

The delegation further requested the Volta Regional Minister to formally extend an invitation to the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, to grace the festival.

As part of the visit, the chiefs presented a Batakari (smock) made from locally woven Kente, together with other gifts, to the Regional Minister and requested that a similar gift be presented to the Vice President on their behalf.

Responding to the delegation, Hon. James Gunu commended the chiefs and people of Tafi Abuife for sustaining the Kente-Keporte Festival over the past decade. He noted that such cultural festivals promote peace, unity, tourism, culture and socio-economic development. He assured the delegation that he would attend the festival and would also convey their invitation to the Vice President and provide them with feedback.

The Minister also praised the exceptional quality of the Kente presented to him, stating that it was among the finest he had ever seen. He said the craftsmanship demonstrates that the Volta Region has high-quality products that deserve greater promotion to create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

Hon. Gunu further commended Mr Richard Kasu for his active role in community and political development, particularly through the Community Focus Foundation Ghana. He recalled Mr Kasu's leadership in organising the first Volta Water Dialogue in 2025, which was followed by the construction of mechanised boreholes in several communities across the region. He described Mr Kasu as one of the hardworking young people from Tafi who continue to make the region proud.

The Minister further emphasised that Tafi occupies an important place in the tourism sector of the Volta Region because it is home to the renowned Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, a community-managed forest reserve established in 1993 and home to more than one thousand Mona monkeys.

He noted that for centuries, traditional beliefs protected the monkeys, which were regarded as royal guards and therefore shielded from harm. Today, the sanctuary attracts tourists from across the world who enjoy guided forest walks and the unique experience of feeding the friendly free-roaming monkeys.

Hon. Gunu added that the sanctuary continues to provide direct economic benefits to the local community through eco-tourism while preserving the area's rich cultural heritage. The site also features a cultural village offering authentic homestays, traditional drumming and dancing, making it a leading example of sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.

He recalled that in May 2025, he led a strategic familiarisation tour of the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and Cultural Village with tourism stakeholders to promote eco-tourism, assess development opportunities and prepare the region for future trade and tourism initiatives.