Duamenefa Foundation Let us coexist in peace together
The Duamenefa Foundation Executive President, Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, also known as Torgbui Duamenefa I, has revealed that the recent Duamenefa Regional Tournament would have been difficult to organize without the help and support of the Council of State member representing Volta Region at the Presidency, His Eminence Dr. Gabriel Kwamigah Tanko Atokple.
Speaking on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, during a tour of traditional areas, Mr. Evortepe led a delegation to the palace of Torgbiga Dadzie V, the Paramount Chief of Penyi Traditional Area, where he made the statement. He emphasized that the funds required to organize the tournament were significant and that the support from Dr. Atokple was crucial to ensuring its success.
Mr. Evortepe disclosed that for every football match hosted at the various centers each day, the Foundation spends as much as GH₵4,000, while the fees collected from viewers are often less than GH₵1,000. These funds are used to cover officials, facility usage fees, and other expenses, making the organization of the tournament a major financial undertaking. He lamented that some people mistakenly believed the Duamenefa Foundation was making money or conducting business, when in reality, the Foundation is striving to promote gifted youths in football.
He further stated that the headline sponsor for the Duamenefa Foundation, who is also the Council of State member, successfully lobbied for a GH₵20 million, two-storey dormitory building for Dzosec, which was approved by GETFund. However, he expressed with a heavy heart that despite this, some critics wrongly assume the Foundation is not contributing anything to the community, a misunderstanding he found painful.
According to him, this statement was necessary because the Duamenefa Foundation faced multiple challenges in the lead-up to the Duamenefa Grand Durbar. He revealed that the Durbar usually takes place at Dzosec Park, but this year, a group of people petitioned the GES Regional Headquarters in Ho to prevent the Foundation from hosting the Durbar at the Dzodze-Penyi Senior High School, creating uncertainty and discouragement within the Foundation. The Foundation even considered moving the event to another location.
However, Torgbiga Dzoku V, the legitimate Paramount Chief of Dzodze Traditional Area, and Torgbiga Dadzie V, the Paramount Chief of Penyi Traditional Area, intervened, recognizing the positive impact of the Duamenefa Foundation. Their support ensured that this year’s Grand Durbar could still take place at Dzosec Park, a move that Mr. Evortepe described as critical to the success of the event. He lamented bitterly that without their timely intervention, the Durbar might not have taken place at its traditional venue.
Mr. Evortepe also revealed that many other traditional areas have invited the Foundation to visit, but for the sake of love and loyalty to Dzodze, the Foundation has chosen to prioritize their original community. He appealed to critics, stating that opposition or misunderstandings about the Foundation’s work often arise from ignorance. He urged people to approach the Foundation for discussion and clarity, emphasizing that the Duamenefa Foundation is not against anyone, but rather seeks to promote peaceful coexistence and development in all communities.
The Executive President’s visit to Penyi Traditional Area also served as an opportunity to interact with the local community, appreciate their support, and reinforce the Foundation’s commitment to social intervention programs and youth development across the region.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the tournament and the Durbar and urged continued collaboration to sustain the Foundation’s initiatives.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze
