The 10th anniversary of the Nutome Gali Za celebration in Ehi has become a platform for residents to draw attention to the poor state of roads connecting the community to major farming and commercial centres.
Thousands of residents and visitors took part in a mega float on Thursday to publicise the anniversary celebration, using the event to highlight development concerns facing Ehi and surrounding communities.
The procession began at Ehi and passed through Weta, Weta Junction, Agbozume, Tokor, Penyi and Dzodze before returning to the community.
Participants, including residents, traditional leaders and citizens who had travelled from outside the area, were entertained by music and brass bands during the procession.
Mr Byron Kwakutse Kpeli, a member of the Central Planning Committee, said the turnout was significantly larger than that recorded during previous editions of the celebration.
He said organisers were using the 10th anniversary not only to celebrate the community’s cultural heritage but also to draw attention to development challenges, particularly the condition of roads.
According to Mr Kpeli, poor road networks linking Ehi to Agbozume, Weta, Dzodze and other communities were affecting residents, farmers and businesses.
He said the situation was particularly worrying for farmers who depended on the roads to transport cassava and other agricultural produce to major markets and processing centres.
He explained that improving the roads would facilitate the movement of farm produce and support the local gari-processing industry, which is an important economic activity in the area.
Mr Kpeli therefore called for the development concerns of Ehi to receive attention as stakeholders gathered for the 10th anniversary celebration.
Some participants who returned from outside the community expressed excitement about being home for the anniversary and said the strong turnout reflected residents’ commitment to both the celebration and the development of Ehi.
They expressed hope that the gathering would strengthen collaboration among residents, traditional authorities, development partners and government agencies to address the community’s infrastructure needs.
The Nutome Gali Za celebration is expected to bring together residents, citizens living outside the community, traditional leaders and other stakeholders.
The grand durbar for the 10th edition is scheduled to take place at Ehi on Saturday, September 26.
