What was meant to be a colourful cultural launch of the 2025 Anlo Hogbetsotso Festival at the Ohawu Agricultural College in the Volta Region has evolved into a resounding call for national accountability.
The chiefs and people of Anlo used the historic occasion to remind the government of a promise that has lingered for years—to elevate the 60-year-old institution into a fully-fledged university.
Set against the backdrop of traditional drumming, dancing, and the symbolic rituals of Hogbetsotso, a festival that marks resilience, migration, and renewal, the launch became a stage for development advocacy, blending culture with a sharp political message: the time for empty promises is over.
An Appeal Beyond Ohawu
The Dufia of Ohawu, Torgbui Kordor, told the gathering that the people’s patience has worn thin, insisting that upgrading the college cannot be delayed any longer.
“This festival should mark a turning point. Government must act quickly and deliver on its word. Ohawu’s call is the Anlo call, and indeed the Ghanaian call,” he said.
Backing this demand, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Agbana, described the appeal as a regional development mandate, not a parochial agenda.
“This institution has served the entire country for decades, producing manpower for the agricultural sector. It cannot continue to be neglected,” he argued.
Government’s Commitment
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, responded by reassuring the people that the government remains committed to the upgrade.
“Government is fully aware of the concerns raised. The transformation of Ohawu Agricultural College into a university is not a forgotten promise, and steps are being taken to ensure its realization,” he assured.
A Legacy at Risk
Ohawu Agricultural College, established under Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, was once a beacon of agricultural training in the country. With its three-year Certificate in General Agriculture programme, it has produced thousands of graduates who continue to serve across Ghana.
Yet today, the college struggles with outdated laboratories, inadequate hostel facilities, obsolete equipment, and perennial water shortages.
Its Principal, Ernest Abiwu, warned that unless urgent investment is made, the college risks losing its relevance at a time when agriculture is central to Ghana’s economy.
“Most of our facilities date back to the 1960s. If the promise of a university is to be realized, the college must first be modernized to meet today’s standards,” he explained.
Students are equally frustrated. Shialot Sodzedo, one of the trainees, said that conditions are discouraging many young people from pursuing a career in agriculture. She called on the government not only to renovate the facilities but also to restore allowances for agricultural students.
Hogbetsotso as a Development Platform
The Anlo Hogbetsotso Festival is more than a cultural celebration—it is a reflection on history, resilience, and the future. This year’s launch at Ohawu carried a powerful symbolism: that culture must be a driver of development, and festivals must serve as platforms to demand accountability.
By choosing Ohawu as the launch venue, the chiefs and people of Anlo made their message unmistakable—the promise of a university for Ohawu is no longer negotiable. It has become a development mandate, anchored in the pride and heritage of the Anlo people but reaching far beyond the region.
The Road Ahead
As Hogbetsotso festivities continue across Anlo land, the spotlight remains firmly on Ohawu. The drums and dances may fade, but the demand is clear: it is time for the government to match words with action and give the college the status and infrastructure it deserves.
Until then, the walls of Ohawu Agricultural College will stand as a reminder of both Ghana’s cultural heritage and its unfinished development promises.
