Aʋatukpe Festival Launched in Kpedze with Call for Cultural-Driven Development
Kpedze, – Volta Region | July 31, 2025
The third edition of the Aʋatukpe Festival was officially launched on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Chapel in Kpedze, Ho West District, with a strong call to harness the power of cultural heritage for socio-economic development.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme “Sustaining Avatukpe Festival for Development and Growth”, Mr. John Seddoh highlighted the significance of the festival as not just a celebration of tradition, but a catalyst for community transformation.
The event was graced by Togbega Atsridom V, Paramount Chief of the Kpedze Traditional Area; Madam Esther Adzoa Yeboah Adzimah, Ho Municipal Director of Education (Guest of Honour); the District Chief Executive of Ho West District Assembly; members of the clergy, traditional leaders, and a cross-section of the community.
From Teza to Aʋatukpeza – A Festival Reimagined
Mr. Seddoh traced the origins of the festival, explaining that it evolved from Teza, the traditional Yam Festival celebrated by many Ewe communities, into Aʋatukpeza—a name rooted in the historical identity of the Kpedze people. The term “Aʋatukpedzeawo” refers to “those who made their way through bullets and wars,” symbolizing resilience and bravery.
After careful consultation and reflection, stakeholders in Kpedze rebranded the festival in 2023 to reflect this deeper heritage, aiming to distinguish it from other Ewe festivals and to attract both tourists and investors to the area.
A Festival with Purpose
“The Aʋatukpe Festival is more than a ceremonial event. It is a living heritage passed down through generations,” Mr. Seddoh emphasized. He urged participants to view the festival not only as a time for celebration but as an opportunity for community growth, cultural pride, and economic empowerment.
In an academic breakdown of the theme, he distinguished between “growth”—the increase in economic output—and “development,” which encompasses improved quality of life, education, health, and social equity. He noted that traditional festivals like Aʋatukpe can significantly contribute to both.
Key Roles of Traditional Festivals in Development
Mr. Seddoh outlined six ways traditional festivals like Aʋatukpe can drive development:
- Cultural Preservation – Passing down language, customs, and identity to future generations.
- Economic Development – Creating jobs, boosting tourism, and promoting local businesses.
- Environmental Conservation – Promoting clean-up campaigns and traditional ecological knowledge.
- Social Cohesion – Encouraging peacebuilding, unity, and inclusion of youth and women.
- Education and Skill Development – Providing learning platforms through storytelling, arts, and festival planning.
- Health and Well-being – Promoting mental health, traditional healing, and public health awareness.
A Call for Strategic Action
To ensure the sustainability of the festival, Mr. Seddoh called for:
- Documentation and promotion of local traditions for future generations.
- Active youth engagement to keep the festival vibrant and relevant.
- Economic leveraging of the festival for tourism and investment.
- Partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and private stakeholders.
He concluded by urging the community to maintain unity, discipline, and peace—key ingredients for any form of sustainable development.
Looking Ahead
As drumming, dancing, and storytelling fill the streets of Kpedze in the coming weeks, the Aʋatukpe Festival is poised to be more than just a cultural gathering. It is expected to be a symbol of transformation, celebrating the past while building a brighter, inclusive future for the people of Kpedze and the Ho West District at large.
Long live Awatukpeza! Long live Kpedze! Long live Ghana!
