Torgbui Klu Agudzeamegah appeals for motorable road in Dagbamate

At this year’s Apetorku Gbordzi Festival in the Akatsi South District, the people of Dagbamate showed their spirit of self-reliance. They also made a heartfelt appeal for government support.

During the festivities, Torgbui Klu Agudzeamegah II, Chief of Dagbamate, spoke about their achievements. He mentioned that they built schools and electrified their community. They even established a modern health centre. However, they cannot construct their roads.

“We do almost everything for ourselves,” Torgbui said to applause. “But our roads are our biggest enemy. They destroy our vehicles and increase accidents. Transporting goods to market is difficult. We cannot fix this on our own.”

The festival was spiritually focused on renewing vows to God and seeking blessings. It also celebrated youth development milestones.

The community commissioned a new Vocational Training Centre during the event. They held a sod-cutting ceremony for a hostel facility for apprentices.

“This project is close to our hearts,” the Chief explained. “Not every young person can go to university. But with a trade, they can take care of themselves and their families.”

The centre can accommodate around 100 students and is already operational. The planned hostel will house up to 200 apprentices in 128 rooms with sanitation facilities.

Torgbui Klu expressed concern over how authorities misunderstand Dagbamate’s resilience. “Because we do things ourselves, they assume we don’t need help,” he said. “That’s unfair.”

He highlighted that the community funded most of its electrification project and built its clinic and school buildings independently.

As an example, he described how they built their health facility with a modern laboratory. Only after completion did the government upgrade it from a CHPS compound to a health centre.

“That’s the only visible support we’ve received from the government,” he noted. “While we’re grateful, we need more — especially for our roads.”

Torgbui Klu emphasized that Dagbamate seeks partnership with the government, not handouts. He praised the government's focus on technical education as aligned with their vision.

“We are ready to help train youth,” he stated. “But we need support for more classrooms, better facilities, and safe roads.”

Looking ahead, Torgbui shared his vision to transform Dagbamate into an industrial hub. “If we develop, people will come — whether by swimming or flying,” he said.

As the festival concluded, one message was clear: Dagbamate exemplifies grassroots-led development but needs timely government support to thrive fully.