Oxygen City Project marks historic milestone for Ho – Togbe Afede 

Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli has described the Tema Development Cooperation’s (TDC) Ho Oxygen City Community 27 Project, as one of the most significant developments in the history of city and the Volta Region. 

At the sod-cutting ceremony, Togbe Afede said the project symbolised a major boost to the city’s growth, describing it as an “early Christmas gift” to the people of Ho. 

He commended President John Dramani Mahama for championing balanced regional development and for supporting initiatives that extended major national projects beyond traditional growth centres. 

He noted that Ho had earned the “Oxygen City” accolade because of its clean environment, rich vegetation, scenic mountain ranges, and strong commitment to environmental preservation. 

Togbe Afede said the city had consciously resisted illegal mining and environmentally harmful activities in order to protect public health and promote clean living. 

He praised the former and the current Municipal Chief Executives and the Volta Regional Minister for sustaining Ho’s image as one of the cleanest cities in Ghana. 

The Agbogbomefia expressed gratitude to the Board and Management of Tema Development Corporation (TDC) Ghana Limited for their extensive consultations with traditional authorities and local stakeholders, saying the inclusive approach had ensured community ownership of the project. 

He acknowledged the courage and leadership of the TDC Managing Director and Board Chairman for pursuing the initiative, noting that Ho’s rapid population growth, currently estimated at about 200,000 and rising faster than the national average, had created increasing pressure on housing and hospitality infrastructure. 

Togbe Afede said Ho had evolved into a major educational, commercial and administrative hub, hosting top-rated senior high schools, tertiary institutions, banks, and corporate offices. 

He added that the city’s ethnic diversity had been carefully managed through peaceful coexistence and effective traditional leadership. 

He noted that new investments were underway in the aviation, health, and financial sectors, including plans to position Ho as a centre for health tourism, and welcomed reports of additional public and private sector institutions planning to establish offices in the city. 

The Oxygen City project would help unlock Ho’s full potential by attracting new industries, skilled professionals, and investors seeking a clean, peaceful, and well-planned urban environment, he said. 

Togbe Afede assured the government and TDC of the full support of traditional authorities to ensure the peaceful implementation and timely completion of the project, stressing that development partners who invested in Ho were contributing directly to national progress. 

He also pledged continued commitment to environmental sustainability, including afforestation and climate action initiatives, as part of the contribution of traditional authorities to development. 

Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, expressed appreciation to TDC Ghana Limited, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, and President Mahama for initiating the project to address Ho’s growing housing deficit. 

Mr Gunu said the development would not only provide much-needed accommodation but also generate employment opportunities for local artisans and youth during the construction phase. 

He indicated that masons, carpenters, painters, and many other skilled and unskilled workers in the municipality would benefit directly from this project. 

Source: GNA