By Jones Anlimah
The Paramount Chief of the Weta Traditional Area, Togbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, has called on Ghanaians to exercise their voting rights responsibly and resist financial inducements that may jeopardise the country’s future. Togbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI made the call at a durbar, marking the climax of this year’s annual Weta Homecoming and Rice Festival in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region.
“Voting is not just a right; it is a responsibility to safeguard our future,” Togbuiga Ashiakpor said. The theme for the 2024 Weta Homecoming and Rice Festival was “Unity: Foundation for Development.”
The Weta Rice Festival not only celebrates the region’s abundant rice harvest but also strengthens bonds among the people of the traditional area, many of whom travel back home for the occasion. It also serves as a platform to honour traditional values, showcase agricultural achievements, and promote collective responsibility toward the area’s growth.
The durbar marked the climax of activities for this year’s Weta Homecoming and Rice Festival. This annual event unites the chiefs and people of the Weta Traditional Area and promotes community development. This year’s theme, “Unity: Foundation for Development,” underscored the significance of coming together as a community to promote progress.
In line with the theme, Togbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI highlighted the need for unity and peaceful cooperation. According to him, a unified community provides a strong foundation for development, helping to address common challenges and drive sustainable growth in the traditional area.
Togbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI emphasised that financial inducements to sway one’s vote could lead to years of suffering under unaccountable leadership. “A few hundred cedis today will not pay for our four years of suffering,” he cautioned, urging people to think carefully about the long-term implications of their choices.
He also expressed a strong stance against the use of violence in politics, underscoring the devastating impact of losing even a single life to political unrest. “One life lost in an election is one too many and must never be recorded in our political history again,” he said. He called on all political candidates in the upcoming December general elections to avoid divisive and violent tactics, stressing the importance of integrity and accountability in Ghanaian politics.
The paramount chief further advised political elites in the country to restore credibility and transparency, recognising that their perceived integrity is declining among the public. “The political elites must understand that, with time, they are gradually losing credibility before the ordinary Ghanaian simply because of their lack of a principled position,” he asserted.
As the 2024 election draws closer amid a heightened political atmosphere, Togbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI’s message resonates not just with the people of Weta but with all Ghanaians who share a common desire for a brighter, more prosperous future.
