Dzodze: Market, Highway and De-Za Festival

Dzodze is the main commercial centre of the Ketu North Municipality; markets are held there on a rotating four-day cycle. The ECOWAS International Highway between Ghana and Togo also passes through the town. These specific points of reference can help you put Dzodze in context when planning your trip and search for a hotel that suits your needs.

Market cycle and road connection

If you would like to include a market visit in your plans, check locally for the specific market day: the markets rotate every four days. The ECOWAS International Highway runs through Dzodze and Akanu, the border post on the Ghanaian side, and continues to Noepe on the Togolese side. This gives you two distinct points of reference: the market, reflecting Dzodze’s role as a commercial centre, and the road, connecting Ghana and Togo.

De Za in Dzodze: the 2025 edition

The 23rd edition of the De-Za Oil Palm Festival took place in Dzodze in 2025. The programme, which ran for several weeks, brought together cultural, educational and social events. These included traditional drumming and dancing; palm oil products were also exhibited. A grand durbar of chiefs and residents was scheduled as the highlight for 25 October. The dates and programme details refer to this 2025 edition.

Regional context: Ketu

In the wider destination of Ketu, Ketu North is known in the West African subregion for the production and marketing of palm oil, gari and Afife rice (Togo Marshal). Ehi-Gari is sold in shops and exported. For travellers interested in understanding regional products, palm oil, gari and Afife rice are specific points of reference; Ehi-Gari adds to this picture through its sale in shops and export. Palm oil creates a thematic link between the festival and the regional product context: palm oil products were exhibited at the 2025 De-Za Festival, and Ketu North is known for palm oil production and marketing; gari and Afife rice add to this regional product picture.

Other festivals are also part of the wider destination of Ketu. Anyigbla-Za is celebrated in the Afife Traditional Area in February to ask the Anyigbla deities for protection and a good farming season. Deza is celebrated in Dzodze in October to revive oil palm cultivation in the area. Denyaza in Weta and Nugoryiza in Penyi also take place in October; both raise funds for the development of their respective areas. The festivals therefore differ both in the month they are held and in their purpose. If you want to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific event date.

Tourist attractions in Ketu North include the Sacred Forest near Afife, the 14-headed palm tree near Kasu, Adru Forest near Adrume, Dzago Pond at Ehi-Dzagoto and Dekpor Dam.

Explore more destinations: Juapong, Anloga, Ho, Mepe, Sogakope, Hohoe

For the wider travel overview: Volta.