Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor appeals to government to build rice market in Weta

Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, the Paramount Chief and Overload of Weta Traditional Area and President of Weta Traditional Council, in the Keta North Municipality of the Volta Region, has appealed to the government to consider building rice market at Weta. He said, the initiative would end post-harvest losses and create ready market for hardworking rice farmers in the area to boost the local and national economy.

Togbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor who made the appeal during the 2025 ‘Weta Nutome MorluZa’ held at Weta Roman Catholic school park, described local rice produced at Weta as one of the best in the country and in the world and needed to be prioritised. “This year’s festival, on the theme; Weta Rice: Our Heritage, Our Pride, Our Enterprise, is a clear testament to our resolve to leverage the Weta irrigation scheme (IDA) to modernize and mechanize agriculture under the 24-hour economy policy,” he said.

He said that it was an understatement to disclose that Weta was endowed with numerous resources, the greatest of which was the human resources and must therefore as a matter of necessity fully harness all the potentials to the benefit of all. He explained that since 1978, the Weta irrigation scheme had remained the main source of livelihood, not only for the good people of Weta traditional area but the entire Ketu North Municipality while after the construction of Agali Dam in 1962 and Kplikpa Dam in 1978 to 1982, was expected that over 1960 of potential irrigation area would be cultivated.

“Unfortunately, poor admonition or financial management operational opaqueness, encroachment on land by some chiefs and citizens, conflict regarding land allocation and other ulterior motives, intractability or management to effectively cooperate with the traditional authorities and few other challenges seemed to be the bane of Weta irrigation scheme.” Torgbui Akpo Ashiakpor stated that Weta irrigation scheme was expected to cultivate a total cropping area of 880 hectares of land, but due to perennial flooding issues, the average of cultivated land size had been 650 hectares while the Ketu North municipality was also noted widely in West African sub-region for production and marketing of high-quality rice (Avalavi and Weta special rice), gari and palm oil of which Weta Traditional Area remained main food basket. He commended the government for the various policy interventions that had brought some relief and respite to Ghanaians.

He mentioned the cedi stabilization, the Big Push programme, ORAL and most importantly the recent engagement by President Mahama with Chief Justice and others over recurring alleged mismanagement of public funds identified in the annual auditor report. He also mentioned some challenges which include hate speech which had flooded the social media and urged that there should be regulated before it escalated into a real flame that could distrust the public.

He added that,” violent conflict in some part of the country can derail the gains we are making as a nation and we must tackle them head-on. As a matter of necessity, the efficiencies within ECG, Ghana Water with their astronomic increment on utility tariff as well as destruction of farms by cattle needs urgent redress.” He also recommended to the government to prioritise challenges in the area which include staffing of Ketu North municipal hospital at Weta, infrastructure issues at Weta SHS, and flooding challenges and accessibility to water for irrigation schemes.

Tanko Kwamigah Atorkple, the Volta Regional Council of State Member, who is also a citizen of Weta, during the ceremony urged the chiefs and people to get united for the progress and development of the area for better improvement. He warned that all misunderstandings and disunity could delay the progress of development which could equally affect the progress youth for better future.

Eric Edem Agbana, the Member of Parliament for Keta North, who also witnessed the durbar promised that the government would address all the challenges including the construction of the Weta rice market, the Weta-Afiadenyigba road, education, among others. He urged investors and other corporate organisations to get involved to boost the local economy to produce more.

The 2025 Weta rice was highly attended my Chiefs, Queenmothers, heads of institutions among others amidst exhibition of rice products, drumming and dancing that showcased the rich culture of the area.

Source: GhanaWeb