VOLTA REGION, A TRUE HEAVEN

Volta Region, the only region named after one of  Ghana’s important landmarks (River Volta) is one the most peaceful regions in the country.

A region that shares boundaries with about five other regions. If the people were Arabs I would suggest a re-christening of the region to Dare Salam.

Legend has it that, the people once lived under a wicked king in an ancient city of Notsie in modern Togo. The king once asked his subjects to use clay to make a rope for him. How the rope was made is one legacy every Voltarian inherits from his or her mother’s belly.

If you have not been to the region, I invite you to the land of my birth to learn about the myth, magic and in-depth culture. We would package all in a gift box and dash you free.

Yes, we mean free. Believe me, generosity is one of our features apart from our harmonious and peaceful nature.
Unable to endure the torture of the Notsie king, our ancestors walked backward cunningly and fled like the bird kiwi to their present location. Civilization dawned on them which eventually put them together with Togo under the French colony.

The British later conquered the present Volta section from the French people and added it to the Gold Coast territory. This is my granny’s version. My granny also said somewhere along the line, a genuine course had to be taken as it was difficult for some people to adapt a new style hence the plebiscite.

Since then we became part and parcel of the Gold Coast; eventually Ghana.
It is however regrettable that, to date, some ignorant people call us Togolese.

In fact, Voltarians have made immense contributions to make Ghana what it is today. Names like Ephraim Amu, K.A Gbedema, Anyidoho and our own man of the match JJ, as we affectionately call him all of blessed memory, are proof that my people are indeed the head corner stone in building Ghana.

My region provides the finest soldiers that the country could ever boast of. Talk about the fallen Gen. Kotoka, Major Courage Quaashigah of blessed memory; who happened to be the only service officer in Ghana Army to take a ranger training in the US. Major Blege’s contribution cannot be overlooked.

Another son of the soil, is the man Lt. Gbevlo Lartey; the man who was asked to stay awake whiles you and I were asleep. His presence alone caused fear and panic amongst most people.

JJ was said to have flown a jet under a bridge; he won the speed bird trophy award for his wonderful skills. As president, he went to Mount Sinai and brought us the slate on which the Ten Commandments; the 1992 constitution bears his endorsement  on page 190. Do you know under whose efforts, the Farmers Day Celebration came to being? Let’s leave him because we can’t finish discussing his achievements. May his soul rest in blessed memory.

The mortar barracks which became 66 Artillery has a secret history behind it; it’s all about our velour.
One of the big names in the economic hall of fame is the former governor of Ghana, Dr. Kportufe Agama and also Hon. FiFi Fiavi Franklin Kwetey. Not long ago, in the ECOWAS sub region, age was not a hindrance as our old man, Anyidoho was appointed to head the ECOWAS commission.

In sports and entertainment, my main man Joseph Agbeko, Stonebwoy, Christian Atsu, Ayigbe Edem, EL, Volta Dzata, Kofi Adzorlolo, Gavivina Tamekloe, Ibrahim Selasie, John Dumelo, Elikem of Big Brothers and many others would always make Ghana proud. When you talk of prolific writers that the country has ever had, the list cannot be accurate without Kofi Awoonor, Efo Kwadwo Mawugbe all of blessed memory.

Do you know our region also contributes to the development of this country in so many ways? Volta Region contributes towards the economic nation building just like other regions and even more. The Aflao border alone contributes the largest revenue among Ghana’s entry points being the only border in the whole world yes I mean the whole wide world that opens directly into its neighboring county’s capital. The biggest rice farm in West Africa is in my region. Yes, I mean GADCO.

Our great king, Togbui Afede Asor XIV, is one of the finest economists we have in this country. He was once the head of economic team of the transitional committee as well as president of the National House of Chiefs. The Asogli power plant that is to provide some huge kilowatts to supplement the country’s hydro power cannot be downplayed in this regard.

What is the tallest mountain in Ghana called? Do you know the highest falls in West Africa?

BY: ADDUL FATTAH SULLEY