Ghana’s Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has lauded the people of Asogli for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Asogli Yam Festival, describing it as both a celebration of gratitude and a call to national renewal.

Representing President John Dramani Mahama at this year’s festival in Ho, the Vice President extended warm greetings from the President, commending Togbe Afede XIV, the chiefs, and people of Asogli for upholding a tradition that continues to unite communities and highlight Ghana’s agricultural potential.

“It is an honour to represent His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama at this year’s Yam Festival,” she said.

“This is an occasion for celebration and thanksgiving.

It is also a sacred reminder of our duty to build a future worthy of our heritage.”

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the yam, central to the festival, symbolises patience, renewal, and prosperity — values that define both the Asogli people and Ghana’s broader agricultural identity.

She, however, acknowledged that today’s farmers face new challenges such as erratic rainfall, post-harvest losses, and market instability.

To address these challenges, she highlighted the government’s comprehensive agricultural strategy under the Feed Ghana Programme, led by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, which places food security and agricultural transformation at the core of national development.

Among the initiatives she outlined were:

Significant budgetary allocations to agriculture in 2025 to support key projects like the Vegetable Development Project and the Nkoko Nketenkete initiative for poultry and eggs.

Deployment of 5,000 graduates in agriculture and veterinary science to provide extension services nationwide, including in the Volta Region.

Promotion of vegetable farming and greenhouse technology, particularly suited to the Volta Region’s fertile valleys.

Support for farmer cooperatives to improve access to markets and reduce production costs.

Investment in mechanisation, irrigation, and storage infrastructure to minimise post-harvest losses.

The Vice President emphasised that the Volta Region has the potential to become Ghana’s agricultural backbone under the Feed Ghana initiative, given its underutilised irrigation systems and favourable conditions for rice and yam production.

She also referenced recent stakeholder engagements by  Eric Opoku’s Feed Ghana team, which encouraged farmers, cooperatives, and District Assemblies in the region to harness improved seeds, extension services, and irrigation facilities to boost yields and reduce food imports.

“At this moment of harvest, the Yam Festival becomes more than a cultural event — it is a platform for showcasing agricultural potential, mobilising resources, honouring hardworking farmers, and inspiring our youth,” she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called for renewed efforts to make farming attractive and profitable for the youth, noting that the government is prioritising land banks, credit facilities, and agribusiness training to modernise the sector.

She also highlighted the recent launch of President Mahama’s flagship Adwumawura Programme at the University of Ghana, which focuses on youth employment and entrepreneurship as key drivers of national transformation.

In her concluding remarks, the Vice President urged Ghanaians to see culture and progress as complementary forces in nation-building.

“The Yam Festival is not only about the past — it reminds us that culture and progress can work hand in hand,” she said.

“As we celebrate, let us pledge to support our farmers, strengthen our communities, and build a Ghana where every household has enough to eat.”

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang wished the people of Asogli a bountiful harvest and called for continued unity, peace, and prosperity across Ghana