Togbe Agorkoli, the Overlord of Notsie of the ancestral home of the Ewe people in the Republic of Togo, has unveiled an ambitious multi-purpose heritage centre project designed to become a central place of convergence and pilgrimage for the Ewe community. During the recent third Summit of Ewe Chiefs held in Ho, Togbe Kpegbategbe III, Chief of Dayi Atsigba in Togo, shared details of the project with traditional rulers, urging support from the Ewe tribe.
The heritage centre, to be constructed at Agbogbome, the original settlement in Notsie, is envisioned as a hub for tradition and culture. Togbe Agorkoli emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “It is my heartfelt desire to develop Agbogbome. We should develop Agbogbome as a centre of pilgrimage for the Ewes. Eweland needs a place of resort, and we need to place value where our ancestors stayed, flourished, and prospered.”
A German-based architect, who is a native of the tribe, has been selected to design the project, with plans already underway and design concepts set to be revealed soon. The centre will feature expansive auditoriums, museums, and traditional shrines aimed at restoring the culture and customs of the various Ewe ethnicities. Additionally, a medicinal plant propagation project will promote traditional herbal medicine in the sub-region, with the heritage centre expected to incorporate green spaces upon completion.
A technical committee of experts from academia and industry has been formed, alongside a committee of traditional rulers to oversee the project’s progress. Togbe Kpegbategbe stressed the need for chiefs and established indigenes to support the initiative, saying, “King Agorkorli says we should help him restore our ancestry. The project will help sustain the culture and tradition of the Ewes, cause a return to tradition, and promote the wisdom of Ewes.”
He highlighted that such a dedicated space does not currently exist for Eweland, making the centre vital for building identity and serving as a major visitor attraction for research, education, and tourism.
The Ewe Summit is part of the annual Asogli Yam Festival, which aims to foster unity among traditional leaders for community growth and development. Togbe Kpegbategbe commended Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, for establishing the summit, noting that such initiatives are crucial for achieving unity in Eweland.
In his remarks, Togbe Afede revealed plans to establish a museum to preserve culture and tradition, pledging Asogli’s support for the heritage centre project. He also informed chiefs at the summit about the formation of the African Traditional Leadership Institute, an initiative aimed at creating a union of African traditional leaders.
