The heartbeat of Agbozume echoed louder than ever on September 27 as the Somè Traditional Area came alive with colour, rhythm, and pride. The 2025 Somètutuza Festival, which coincided with World Tourism Day, transformed the historic town into a cultural crossroads — where the past danced with the present, and the spirit of Africa spoke through every drumbeat, chant, and smile.
It was not just another festival. It was heritage reborn — a reaffirmation of identity and resilience, a reminder that the soul of Ghana’s Volta Region beats in harmony with the wider African rhythm of unity, creativity, and transformation.
The Chief and His People
Clad in radiant kente and gold ornaments that glistened under the morning sun, Torgbiga Adamah III, Paramount Chief of the Somè Traditional Area, stood before his people — a symbol of continuity and purpose.
He welcomed dignitaries, guests, and citizens home to Agbozume, calling the occasion “another great moment in the story of the Somè people.” His gratitude flowed to the President of the Republic for the Sea Defence Project at Agavedzi and Amutinu — a life-saving initiative for the coastal communities.
He also praised the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, for merging World Tourism Day with Somètutuza 2025, describing it as “a powerful partnership that lifts the tourism destiny of Somè, Ketu South, and the Volta Region as a whole.”
Development with Purpose
Somètutuza has always been more than song and dance; it is a gathering of purpose. Torgbiga Adamah reminded citizens of the promised reconstruction of the Somè National School, an ongoing commitment by Ambassador Prof. Huge Aryee to provide a modern facility with ICT labs and improved infrastructure.
He also spoke passionately about plans to revamp the Agbozume Market, signalling a rebirth of local trade and livelihoods. “We are not just celebrating our culture,” he said, “we are shaping our future with the wisdom of our ancestors.”
Tourism with a Soul
For Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the festival’s timing with World Tourism Day was symbolic. Speaking to the jubilant crowd, she described this year’s global theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” as a call to reimagine Africa’s cultural assets not as relics — but as resources for empowerment and innovation.
“Tourism is not just about visitors taking pictures,” she said. “It’s about communities building confidence, preserving heritage, and creating opportunities for generations.”
The Minister’s words resonated across the durbar grounds — a vision where culture becomes currency, and every drumbeat tells an economic story.
Ketu South Rising
The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Nicholas Kobla Ezor Worclachie, pledged government’s unwavering support for Somè’s developmental agenda. He cited funds already released under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, urging traditional authorities to sustain unity as the driving force of growth.
Representing the President, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, added a national perspective, describing Somètutuza as “a cultural compass guiding Ghana’s creative and economic renaissance.”
He linked the festival’s spirit to Mahama’s ‘Show 24’ initiative, which seeks to expand opportunities in arts, music, film, and cultural enterprise — giving Ghana’s youth a stake in the new creative economy.
Beyond Celebration — A Cultural Renaissance
As the setting sun dipped into the horizon, the sound of gongs, drums, and traditional horns filled the air — a powerful reminder that culture is not static; it evolves with those who live it.
The 2025 Somètutuza Festival wasn’t just a spectacle of dance or drumming — it was a declaration of identity, an African story told the Volta way. It was proof that festivals can be both sacred and strategic — preserving roots while planting seeds for development, peace, and transformation inn that rhythm, the message was clear:
Somètutuza is not just a celebration — it’s the voice of the Somèawo
Source Hebrews Pouyeli Kumako // NewsVolta
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