Members of Kpekpe Etor (the three wing chiefs), the chiefs of Awate traditional area, have called on the Chieftaincy Ministry to halt a planned inauguration of the traditional council as soon as possible.
The three wing chiefs are the highest traditional political authority and the principal kingmakers of the Awate Traditional Area.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 2 May 2024, ten sub-chiefs and clan-heads of the Awate Traditional Area, which constituted the three wings chiefs, claimed that the current paramount chief, Togbe Azahvuvu IV of Awate, is a “self-styled paramount chief of Awate Traditional Area.”
They said Togbe Azahvuvu, known privately as Thomas Kafui Azah, has not gone through the “customs and traditions” of Awate and has not received approval from the three wing chiefs. However, he is not qualified to be the Paramount Chief, but he was forced into the role because of his interest.
The ten chiefs who signed the petition alleged that Thomas Kafui Azah and his factions illegally installed him to succeed the late Paramount Chief of the area, Togbe Noagbesenu III, during his funeral activities in the community.
They said Thomas Kafui Azah and his factions’ actions are not in line with the practices of the Awate Traditional Area, and hence, their behaviour has caused a dispute in the community for the past couple of years.
According to them, a case over the legitimacy of the “self-styled” chief, Togbe Azahvuvu, is pending at the judicial committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.
Therefore, the three wing chiefs are calling on the Chieftaincy Ministry to “Halt the inauguration of the Awate Traditional Council with immediate effect”.
They have, therefore, called for investigation into the illegal installation of this self-styled Togbe Azahvuvu.
“We (the three wing chiefs) call on the judicial committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs to expedite action on the pending Chieftaincy case to forestall peace and progress in the Awate Traditional Area.”
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has begun inaugurating five traditional councils in the Volta Region.
The areas include Dzodze, Xevi, Weta, Anyako and Awate Traditional Councils.
Reporting by Albert Kuzor in the Volta Region
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Azay FM 89.1 in Takoradi, Bead FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa, Sissala Radio 96.3 in Tumu, Somuaa FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in to broadcasts online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden, and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming on facebook.com/asaase99.5. Also on YouTube: AsaaseXtra.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
#WeAreHere
#WeLoveOurLand
