The youth of Dzodze, in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, are gearing up to celebrate this year’s ‘De Za’ (Palm festival) with great enthusiasm and fanfare.
After last year’s festival was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, the youth are eager to ensure that the 2024 edition is improved, reflecting their ardent desire to revive the tradition.
In an interview with the GNA, Mcseyric Seyram Yao Agoha, spokesperson for the Dzodze Traditional Council, confirmed the council’s full support of the youth’s efforts.
He emphasised the significance of this year’s festival in fostering unity and development within the community.
“This year’s festival requires the participation of everyone to realize the vision of progress in Dzodze and its surrounding communities,” he said, highlighting the collaborative nature of the event.
Agoha commended the youth for their commitment to making this year’s ‘De Za’ a success, noting that they are leaving “no stone unturned” in their preparations.
“The youth are the future of Dzodze, and the Traditional Council will back them in any endeavor that contributes to the development of the area,” he added, reflecting the council’s belief in the power of youth-driven initiatives.
The ‘De Za’ festival, celebrated annually during the first week of October, is a tribute to palm nut cultivation, a major economic activity in Dzodze.
It promotes the cultural and economic importance of palm nut products, including palm oil, not only in Ghana but also across Africa. The festival has become a cornerstone event, drawing attention to the region’s agricultural heritage.
This year’s celebration kicked off with various pre-festival activities, including a football gala featuring teams from Dzodze and its environs, aimed at fostering camaraderie and community spirit.
The festivities will continue Friday, October 4, with a De Za float, during which youth from all social classes will parade through the streets of Ketu North to herald the festival’s return.
The float will be a vibrant spectacle, symbolizing the energy and excitement surrounding the festival. The highlight of the celebrations will be the grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Dzodze, set to take place on Saturday, October 5, at De Za Park in Dzodze.
The durbar will be a colorful display of the community’s rich culture and traditions, with chiefs, queen mothers, and other dignitaries in attendance.
It will also serve as a platform to discuss and promote developmental initiatives that can uplift Dzodze and the broader Ketu North area.
With the support of the Dzodze Traditional Council and the unwavering enthusiasm of the youth, this year’s De Za is set to be a celebration of culture, unity, and development, promising to leave a lasting impact on the community.
