The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has disclosed that the necessary work towards the set-up of the novel Women’s Development Bank is almost complete.

She consequently gave an assurance that the government’s flagship Women’s Development Bank would soon be launched to provide women with improved access to finance and business resources.

She gave the assurance last Saturday during a courtesy call on the Awomefia of Anlo, Togbui Sri III, ahead of joining the chiefs and people of Kedzi in the Keta Municipality in the Volta Region to observe the Norvikporgbe Za.

“I want to assure you that we’ve made a lot of progress in establishing the Women’s Development Bank, and that very, very soon you’ll hear from us. We really needed to take our time because this is something that is very, very important. Therefore, rushing into it wouldn’t help us,” she said. 

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that careful planning was necessary to ensure the bank effectively met the financial and business needs of women across the country.

Development Queen

The meeting with Togbui Sri preceded the enstoolment of the Vice-President as Development Queen in the Kedzi Traditional Area of the Volta Region, as the chiefs and people of the area marked the Norvikporgbe Za, a native festival held in Keta.

She was conferred with the traditional title, Mamaga Adzagba I, which translates as “Precious Gem”, in conformity with her new status in the traditional area.

The honour recognises her contributions to national development, particularly her advocacy for the welfare and empowerment of women and children across the country.

The enstoolment formed part of activities marking the festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage, unity and identity of the people of Kedzi.

The traditional leaders said that the recognition reflected appreciation for Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s public service and commitment to inclusive development.

Visit

At both the festival and the courtesy visit, the Vice-President pledged the government’s support to improve education and services for children with special needs in the Anlo Traditional Area following appeals from local authorities.

“Equally important are the children who are born differently or who have different ways of learning and of doing things. They are all our children, and these I always describe as God’s special creation.

“There’s a reason why they are here. Our business is to learn to live with them and to give them what they need to be able to function like all of us in different ways,” she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added that training personnel, including teachers and healthcare workers, was critical to ensure that children with disabilities received proper support.

Festival

At the grand durbar of the Norvikporgbe Festival in Kedzi, a coastal community in Keta, the Vice-President highlighted tourism as a critical driver of the country’s economic transformation, particularly for coastal communities.

She said tourism continued to be a vital part of Ghana's economy and that coastal communities were well-placed to contribute to and to benefit from it.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the country’s coastline offered a unique combination of scenic landscapes, cultural depth and vibrant local traditions that could not be easily replicated elsewhere.

The Vice-President stressed that coastal communities such as Kedzi were uniquely positioned to leverage their natural and cultural assets.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further outlined the government’s commitment to improving feeder roads, sanitation, and general infrastructure to make communities more accessible and visitor-ready. 

She added that while tourism must be driven at the national level, meaningful growth could be achieved locally through improved access and support for small businesses.

She pointed to opportunities in hospitality, food services, crafts, and guided tourism experiences, but cautioned that these prospects came with responsibilities.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that maintaining high standards, protecting the environment and presenting communities in an attractive and organised manner were essential to building investor and visitor confidence. 

“When these conditions are met, tourism does not simply bring visitors; it creates livelihoods and sustains development,” she added.

Event

The Kedzi Festival serves as a homecoming, reconnecting indigenes with their roots and reinforcing a shared sense of purpose.

The latest event brought together government officials, traditional leaders, community members and others in memorable moments of deliberations for a common community development. 

Describing the festival as both a celebration of heritage and a platform for reflection, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised the importance of identity, unity and collective vision in driving local progress. 

She said that while Kedzi was endowed with rich history and natural beauty, its resources required greater recognition and structured development to fully benefit residents and the broader national economy.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged the youth of Kedzi to take ownership of the community’s future and called on them to safeguard the environment, preserve cultural  heritage, and project a positive image of their community to the world.