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 stakeholders. They 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 36,000 as certified volunteers since 2017. This year’s durbar is considered by sports pundits and the Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Mr. Daniel K. Sarpei, as the largest sports festival of our time.
More than 40,000 spectators witnessed the ceremony on Saturday the 30th day of September, 2023. One hundred-twenty six (126) football teams from 126 different communities registered from the southern and central parts of the Volta Region. 115 out of the 126 successfully participated through all stages from the 1st day of July until the grand finale. The finale match was played between
Sakpoe 1 FC and Adzoati Young Boys of Weta. Sakpoe 1 FC carried the day with 1 goal to nil.
Sakpoe 1 FC victorious
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 the distinguished guests were representatives of former President Mahama led by former Presidential Staffer Agbeko Ben Coffie, the Volta Regional Communication Director, Mr. Kafui Agbleze, Anlo Constituency Chairman, Hon. Honesty Agbey Miheso, and a host of other prominent figures of the NDC party from the region. The former presidential staffer in his statement raised concerns of the former president on the recent flooding disaster affecting communities in the southern parts of the Volta Region, according to him, the former president has dispatched relief items through the MPs of the various municipalities to the victims. He applauded the great efforts of the Foundation in promotion of youth and sports in the Volta Region. The former presidential staffer to the former president also called on the Foundation to tackle the fundamentals of the fallen standard of education in the region through stakeholder’s engagement.
The event saw the region’s chiefs and queen mothers and their entourage, including the esteemed Torgbuiga Dzoku V, the Paramount Chief of Dzodze, Togbi Akaba VII of Anyako, Togbi Agbali II, the divisional chief of Blekusu, Chiefs from Aflao Traditional Council led by Togbi Tortsofia Nyakeli III, the Warlord. Avenor Traditional Council led by Togbi Awanya II, Ave Traditional Council led by the divisional chief, Togbi Nyamekor Glakpe and numerous other traditional leaders. In their speeches, the various traditional chiefs praised the effort of the organizers and pledges their collective support for the Duamenefa movement.
A few of the chiefs and queen mothers present at the Grand Durbar
The event was also attended by the Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu North, Hon. Dr. Anthony Avorgbedor, the District Chief Executive of Akatsi South, Hon. Kofitsey Nyahe, and the District Chief Executive of Akatsi North, Hon. Simon Peter Ofosu, among others. The municipal chiefs commended the great initiatives of Fafaa 100.3 FM and its Duamenefa Foundation and initiates their sustenance.
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 the Portuguese FIFA Lawyer and sports development expert and scout, Mr. Pedro Macieirinha, together with Jose Pedro, the executive president of BECHEM United, Mr. Kingsley Owusu Achiau, with other scouts were on the ground to unearthing the hidden talents embedded in the youth for marketing to the outside world.
The highlight of the event was the generous donation from the headline sponsor, Hon. Gabriel Kwamigah Atokple Tanko. In a remarkable gesture, he presented a brand-new Toyota Corolla Saloon and a Tricycle to the Foundation. This remarkable contribution left the attendees in awe of his commitment to the cause.
Hon. Gabriel Tanko was accompanied by four foreign partners, including Kasar Shazad, a retired cricket player known for his contributions to Lancashire League Cricket in the UK, and Inam Haque. These foreign partners, along with Hon. Gabriel Tanko, demonstrated their dedication to the community and the Foundation’s mission. According to Hon. Atokple, investing in the youth is a very vital and viable recipe for securing and safeguarding the prospects of any society.
The Executive Board of Governors of the Duamenefa Foundation led by the Executive President and CEO of Fafaa FM, Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe in return conferred an Honorary Chieftaincy Title of “Togbi Nyaxordeakorla I”, meaning, “the King of Intervention”, on Hon. Atokple. The enstoolment ceremony was conducted by his royal highness, Agbotadua Kumassah, a board of governor member of the Foundation. Mr. Evortepe described the newly installed “Togbi Nyaxordeakorla I,” as an Angel on Divine Mission to support the intervention efforts of the Foundation.
The event not only showcased the unwavering support of the region’s leaders and stakeholders but also highlighted the power of collaboration and philanthropy. With the Grand Durbar bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, it exemplified the spirit of unity and the collective effort to make a positive impact on the community.
The presence of such distinguished guests, coupled with the headline sponsor’s significant donation, made this 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 36,000 registered and certified volunteers, scattered across the various communities within the Volta Region and beyond. The 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.
Story by: Felix Abusah, Email: abusahfelix1@gmail.com/felix.abusah@rutgers.edu
Source: duamenefafoundation.org