The Municipal Capital of the Ketu North, Dzodze, in the Volta Region of Ghana was agog with pomp and pageantry in a grand durbar of sports enthusiasts, traditional rulers, MMDCEs, Reverend Ministers and representatives of various stakeholder groups, thronged Dzosec park to celebrate the largest sports festival of the Volta Region, the Duamenefa Regional Tournament.
The tournament is an initiative of a private commercial radio station, Fafaa 100.3 Fm, with support from its Non-Governmental Organization dubbed, Duamenefa Foundation. The Foundation has a movement of over 44,400 certified volunteers.
This year’s grand durbar is considered by sports pundits and the regional director of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Madam Joyce Datsa, as the largest sports festival of our time. More than 40,000 spectators witnessed the ceremony.
Between 2017 to 2024, the tournament had witnessed a total of 604 football teams from different Districts and Municipalities of the Volta Region. Thirty-Eight (38) football teams in addition to 10 Volleyball teams, 60 athletes, and six teams of women’s Tug of “Peace” teams competed in this year. Afornyaga Striking Stars defeated Srohume All Stars to a one/nil game to carry the day.
The over 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis) budget annual tournament is single-handedly sponsored by Hon. Gabriel Kwamigah Tanko Atokple, also known as Togbi Nyaxɔɖeakɔla I. Hon. Gabriel Kwamigah Atokple also donated a brand new toyota Corolla Saloon car, 7 motorcycles to aid the acitivities of the community reporters, a tricycle and cash awards in excess of over Ghc 200,000.00 (Two Hundred Ghana Cedis) to support the Duamenefa Foundation towards the development of youth and sports in the Volta Region. According to Hon. Atokple, investing in the youth is a very vital and viable recipe for securing and safeguarding the prospects of any society, therefore the marriage between his Tanko Foundation and the Duamenefa Foundation to promote this agenda cannot be overemphasized. God willing, the tripartite entities, Fafaa FM, Tanko Foundation and Duamenefa Foundation shall collectively foster unity in this regards till eternity.
Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe, the Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation and CEO of Fafaa 100.3 FM, commend the efforts of Hon.Tanko for the massive support to to the Foundation. Mr. Ketaman alludes to the fact that the annual tournament which was initiated in 2017, with supports from the National Sports Authority, the Regional Football Association and the Regional Athletics Association is being used as mechanism to promote peaceful coexistence of people in the various communities of the Volta Region and above all, unearthing the hidden talents embedded in the youth and creating a congenial platform to market same to the next level within and outside the country. This objective has been yielding positive results through the kind sponsorship of Hon. Tanko the CEO of the Tanko Foundation and Sesi Edem Group of Companies.
The durbar held in a vibrant display of culture and unity was graced by a multitude of stakeholders who came together to support a noble cause. Among them were the presidents of the various traditional councils and their retinue of chiefs numbering over 200 who were cladded in their traditional costume and regalia .
His Royal Majesty, the Awormefia of Anlo-Dukor Council, Togbi Sri III, represented by the Awadada Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, Torgbuiga Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, the president of African Chiefs Council and the Aflao Traditional Council, Torgbuiga Dzoku V, the President of the Dzodze Traditional Council. Torgbuiga Adrakpanya VI of Afife, Torgbuiga Addo VIII of Klikor, Torgbuiga Dadzi V of Penyi, Torgbuiga Dorglo Anumah V of, Avenor, Torgbuiga Adogo Agbalekpor IV of Ave Hevi, Togbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI of Weta, Torgbuiga Nyamekor Glakpe V of Ave Dakpa among others.
MMDCEs and MPs of the various political parties were duly represented The Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu North, Hon. Dr. Avorgbedor in his speech commended the great collaborative initiatives of Fafaa 100.3 FM, Duamenefa Foundation and Tanko Foundation. According to the MCE, the DUAMENEFA sports festival has lifted the banner of sporting activities in the Volta Region.
The Director of Sports of Fafaa 100.3 FM’s Duamenefa Foundation. Patrick Amazing Doamekpor, based in the USA, his Deputy, Mr. Micheal Helegbe, based in France, in company of Mr. Kwasi Ntiamgah Amponsa is a Senior Digital consultant involved in professional football operations in Europe and Africa, and the senior representative of Rush Academy, a West African subsidiary of the globally renowned Rush Football Academy in the United States of America, were also present to scout for talents.
Some highlights of the event were the swearing-in of 38 community reporters of the Foundation. A ceremony conducted by Barrister Dr. Joseph Attipoe, attorney at law who doubles as the Deputy President of the Duamenefa Foundation.
Donations of equipment to empower single parents and the disabled, powered by Pastor Adefunke Adeoye, Mamaga Nuteƒewɔla I, of ToHe, UK were made.
Awards of laptops and other items to the various traditional councils and 45 deserving individuals, were given by the kind support from Dr. David Kotei Nutakor, a geotechnical engineer based in the US state of California.
The grand durbar exemplified the spirit of unity and the collective effort to make a positive impact on society.
The presence of distinguished guests, coupled with the headline sponsor’s financial backing, made this year’s grand durbar a memorable occasion, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and social responsibility.
As the Foundation continues its noble work, the support and generosity displayed at this event serve as a testament to the commitment of individuals and organizations to uplift and empower the local community.
The Duamenefa Foundation of Fafaa 100.3 Fm is a nonprofit organization made up of over 44,400 registered and certified volunteers, scattered across the various communities within the Volta Region and beyond. Their mandate is to promote peaceful coexistence of people in the various communities through investigation and intervention to reconcile hitherto antagonistic spiritual and diabolical conflicts. Promotion of youth and sports, skills training, and empowerment among others. The Foundation is registered in the USA as 501/ C3 with its international office in the US state of Alabama, headed by its International Director of Operations, Rev. Diane Westcott, Mamaga Duamenefa I.
Source: duamenefafoundation.org / news editor in chief