Mortal remains of Togbe Dagadu laid to rest

Kpando, May 11, GNA- Rites for the interment of the late Togbe Dagadu VII, Akpinifia and president of the Akpini Traditional Council has been observed at Kpando in the Volta Region.

The burial climaxed the 11-day funeral celebrations that included firing of musketry, paying of last respect by traditional authorities of the area and dignitaries across the country and from Togo. Togbe Dagadu, known in private life as Vincent Attah Bullar, who ruled as paramount chief of the Akpini Traditional Area (Kpando) for 14 years and was one time a member of the Council of State, died at the age of 68 in 2006.

He was a quantity surveyor and worked with public sector organizations in Ghana and companies abroad and also engaged in private consultancy.

A brochure on the funeral said his tenure, as chief was replete with bickering that did not give Togbe the "peace of mind and time to settle down to chart the way for Kpando's development."

This notwithstanding, the information said, Togbe Dagadu, who had also served as Vice-President and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and member of the National House of Chiefs had pioneered the establishment of an Education Fund and a youth training centre for the Akpini area.

Most Reverend Francis Lodonu, Catholic Bishop of Ho, who led officiating priests at the burial mass, said the death of Togbe Dagadu should put the people in a reflective mood to usher into the Akpini state a new epoch of mutual cooperation.

He slammed the bitterness, acrimony, verbal and physical confrontations associated with chieftaincy in the region. Bishop Lodonu urged the people of Akpini to go through the process of the selection and enthronement of a successor peacefully. Mr Sampson Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, who led government delegation to the funeral, donated schnapps, beer, soft drinks and other assorted drinks, and 5,000 Ghana cedis to the bereaved family and the Akpini state while Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of New Patriotic Party also donated 1,000 Ghana cedis.

The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) also donated 1,000 Ghana cedis and assorted drinks. Dr Paapa Kwesi Nduom and Dr Edward Mahama flag bearers of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and People's National Convention (PNC) respectively were among dignitaries who attended the funeral.