Agbogbomefia of Asogli State visits Okyehene

Kyebi, Jan. 23, GNA - The Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has urged chiefs to lead their people to wage a relentless war against poverty and ignorance, which are stifling their standard of living in the midst of abundant natural resources.

He made the call when Togbe Afede XIV (the Fourteenth), Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, in the Volta Region, led a high powered delegation of chiefs and queens to pay a day's fraternal visit to Okyeman at Kyebi on Saturday as part of his programme to promote friendship with other traditional areas since his installation over a year ago.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who recalled similar exchange of visits between his grandfather, Nana Sir Ofori Atta the First and his contemporaries in the Volta Region, commended the Agbogbomefia for his initiative.

According to him, the principle underlying the chieftaincy institution in seeking the unity and welfare of the people remained unchanged with time, saying, it, however, required the dynamism and foresight of enlightened chiefs like Togbe Afede to join hands with others to lead their people to achieve the goal.

He pointed out that unlike political leaders who were elected to rule for terms of office, chiefs were installed over a lifetime to lead their people to seek their welfare and promote justice, unity and peace. Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin reminded chiefs on the need to ensure cleanliness in their communities, education of the youth and the protection of the environment and territories bequeathed to them by their ancestors against wanton exploitation for the sake of future generations.

He asked Ghanaians to have faith in their ability to develop the conditions in the country to enjoy a high standard of living instead of fleeing to other countries to seek greener pastures developed by the sweat of nationals of those countries.

Togbe Afede called on chiefs to go beyond the formal structures of the National House of Chiefs to forging the kind of alliances that would enhance their strength and promote "true friendship, genuine fellow felling and trust among our people." He noted that even though history had separated them in many ways, "the same history had connected us in a lot of ways, as we have been part of Ghana since independence and we have all helped the cause of its development."

Togbe Afede explained that his visit was part of his agenda to promote friendship, love and understanding among their people and other states towards national peace and unity.

He said the Asogli State was concerned about the increasing suspicion, rivalry and sometimes tension among the various tribes, which he noted, did not augur well for the progress of out country.

"It is our belief that traditional authorities are uniquely placed to deal with this emerging phenomenon and we believe our role and influence will be very crucial in dealing with the problem", Togbe Afede stated.

According to him, one thing that distinguished Ghana from its neighbours was the strength of its chieftaincy institution as a factor in the peace that was been enjoyed, saying: "This must be strengthened to continue to be a moderating factor in our body politic."

"Our predecessors led our ancestors to war with the objective of territorial security but today, we are faced with a new kind of exigency- the need to wage a relentless battle against poverty, ignorance and disease, which must be fought in unity", he emphasized. The Agbogbomefia and his entourage who treated the gathering to their cultural drumming and dancing, also presented gifts including a kente cloth, native sandals and drinks to the Okyenhene.