Nana Akua Adepa Fordjour II Launches Over $60k Development Initiative to Empower Youth in Anomabo-Oboadze

Nana Akua Adepa Fordjour II, the Mpuntuhen of Anomabo-Oboadze in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, has launched the Nana Adepa Fordjour II Foundation (NAF 2 Foundation) with a strong commitment to youth empowerment, skills development, and industrial growth in her community.

As part of the foundation’s initial projects, Nana Adepa Fordjour II announced plans to establish a Cassava Processing Factory and a Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) School, valued at a combined $65,000. These initiatives aim to add value to agriculture, create sustainable jobs, and enhance local economic resilience.

Transforming Local Agriculture through Cassava Processing

Situated in the fertile, cassava-rich community of Aboadze, the planned processing factory will produce gari and starch for both local consumption and export. According to Nana Adepa Fordjour II, the project will help reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmers’ income, and promote agro-industrial development in the area.

Known in private life as Regina Nana Akua Fordjour, the newly enstooled Mpuntuhen — who is also a miner and entrepreneur in her early 40s — said the foundation intends to mobilize financial support from corporate Ghana, development partners, and benevolent individuals to bring the vision to life.

“The days of cassava glut in our area are gone,” she assured during her coronation speech.

The coronation ceremony, held at Anomabo-Oboadze, was marked by colorful cultural displays and attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community members who celebrated her ascension and developmental vision.

Cassava: A Catalyst for Economic Growth and Food Security

Nana Adepa Fordjour II highlighted the broad economic, nutritional, and industrial potential of cassava, describing it as a strategic crop for rural development and national growth. Cassava, a drought-resistant and easy-to-grow root crop, plays a vital role in food security and income generation across tropical regions.

Processing cassava into various products such as flour, gari, starch, ethanol, and animal feed significantly increases its value by extending shelf life, diversifying usage, and expanding market opportunities. Beyond direct employment, cassava processing fosters rural livelihoods, reduces waste, and supports sustainable agriculture and industrial diversification.

“By adding value to cassava, we can transform waste into wealth—producing not only food but also raw materials for industries such as paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel,” she explained.

Empowering the Next Generation through Skills Training

A core focus of the NAF 2 Foundation is youth empowerment through education and skills development. Nana Adepa Fordjour II announced that the upcoming TVET Centre will equip young people, particularly vulnerable girls, with practical technical and vocational skills tailored to both local and global job markets.

The facility will focus on areas such as agribusiness, carpentry, fashion design, welding, electrical work, and entrepreneurship, helping reduce unemployment and encouraging self-reliance through small business creation.

“Our young people must not only dream but also have the skills and confidence to turn their dreams into reality,” she emphasized.

Calls for Collective Support

Nana Fordjour urged corporate Ghana, local authorities, and community members to collaborate in realizing the foundation’s mission, stressing that unity and shared responsibility are key to sustainable progress.

“When we join hands, we unlock the potential of our community. No leader can develop alone—it takes a collective spirit,” she noted.

Leaders Laud Her Vision

The event’s chairman, Nana Obokese Ampah, Apegyahen of the Asebu Traditional Area, commended Nana Fordjour’s initiative, describing her as a visionary and industrious leader dedicated to transforming her community.

“True wealth is built not just on ambition but on the courage to empower others,” he remarked.

In attendance were Hon. Dr. Ebenezer Prince Arhin, Member of Parliament, and Mr. Stanley Eric Acquah, the Municipal Chief Executive of Mfantseman, both of whom expressed strong support for Nana Fordjour’s initiatives. They noted that her development agenda aligns with the government’s industrialization drive and the 24-hour economy policy aimed at boosting local enterprise.

Dr. Arhin praised Nana Fordjour’s humility and perseverance, saying:

“Her rise from humble beginnings to a revered traditional leader exemplifies the power of faith, hard work, and resilience. She is a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.”