Change of government made impact in Kpando

Professor Gilbert Keith Bluwey, of the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) has observed that the change in government has made a positive impact on the chiefs and people of the Akpini Traditional Area in the Volta Region.

He said about 70 per cent of the people from other political parties have returned home to join the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and for the first time in many years, two chiefs involved in a protracted chieftaincy dispute joined other chiefs at a grand durbar in honour of President Kufuor during his recent visit to the area.

Professor Bluwey speaking to the GNA at Kpando said he was forced into the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 1998 and made an executive member of the North Dayi constituency branch of the party as well as the government appointee to the Kpando Urban Council as a means to draw the former government's assistance to solve the dispute.He said being instrumental in the negotiations to settle the dispute between Togbe Dagadu VII, Paramount Chief of the Akpini Traditional Area and Togbe Afendza, Senior Divisional Chief of one of the three divisions in the area, the NDC government lured him into their fold, but could not settle the dispute.

Professor Bluwey who claims to be an ardent member of the Danquah-Busia tradition and participated in the drafting of the NPP's manifesto in 1992 said "I have never had confidence in the NDC, they suspected me not to be loyal and never invited me to any of the important meetings held in the constituency even the recent re-organisation meeting of the party."

"The NDC only tolerated me and the many people who followed me into the party for our votes. Now about 70 per cent of the people in the area have returned home to the NPP and would help organise the party to win the seat in the 2004 elections," he added.