Press Statement By Anlo Youth

The Executives of the Anlo Youth met on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, to consider the statement of Mr. Francis Nyonyo Lumorvi Atitsogbui (alias Seth Osei Agboada with many other nom de plumes), as reported by the Daily Graphic of Wednesday, November 14, 2007, issue No. 150204, and wishes to comment as follows:

? We warily welcome his intention to abandon his ambition of becoming Awoamefia of the Anlo State in the interest of peace and security. The statements of Napoleon Agboada carried on the airwaves, later in the day on the matter did reinforce our trepidation.

? The English word ‘abdicate’, in the dictionaries we have consulted have the following synonyms; renounce, relinquish, resign, step down from, hand over, give up and abandon. Francis Lumorvi Atitsogbui never attained the status he has arrogated to himself, let alone gone through the time-tested customs and traditions of Anlo. He therefore, has nothing to abdicate at this juncture except his inordinate ambition. Abdication does not arise at all. He must, therefore, demolish all his alternate structures to the sacred customs and traditions of Anlo with dispatch.

? We would offer Lumorvi, unreservedly, the platform created by the Anlo Youth Forum on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at the Teacher’s Hall in Accra, to reconcile in accordance with ‘Nugbidodo’. Indeed we expect every well meaning Anlo to humble himself and submit to this process through our recognized Chiefs so that we can meet the deadline agreed upon to find the way forward.

? We take exception to the Daily Graphic report of the same publication (November 14, 2007, issue No. 150204) which still refers to Francis Lumorvi Atitsogbui variously as Regent Togbui Sri III (paragraphs 1, 2, and 3) and Togbui Sri (paragraphs 3 and 9). The Government, The Daily Graphic, the Daily Guide, media houses and all institutions are respectfully reminded that the Anlo is unaware of any individual who has gone through the process and earned the venerated title of Togbui Sri and the accession to the Awoamezi. Therefore, the continuous allusion to Francis Nyonyo Lumorvi Atitsogbui as Togbui Sri III is not only an imposition on the sovereignty and dignity of Anlo, but an unpardonable insult and taboo to the Venerated Torgbui Sri I of blessed memory. These further injuries to the sensibilities of the Anlo must stop forthwith.

? We wish to urge everyone in this matter to seriously consider using the platform that has emerged out of the forum organized by the Anlo Youth at the Teachers Hall on Sunday, November 11, 2007, to join the process that will bring a lasting solution to the disagreements. The deadline given to the Chiefs and Elders involved remains December 10, 2007. We are monitoring the situation very, very closely and we will not stop at anything to deal with any individual who breaches or contravenes the current truce we have earned. Those like the Daily Graphic who continue to add insult to injury must understand fully our resolve and passion in this matter, so as not to attract the wrath of Anlo.

? We also wish to remind the Government that the continuous presence of the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Bernard Guriyi Dery, the Regional Minister Samuel Kofi Dzamesi and the DCE Edward Kofi Ahiabor in their various offices, is not only an arrogant confrontation with the peace process we seek for Anlo, but a tacit confirmation of the public perception that our Government rewards unscrupulous public servants. This situation does not only put these officers at risk but also the loyal unassuming security men of the ranks on the ground and the citizenry.

? Anlo consider their presence as very provocative in the light of their conceited partisan approach to the handling of security matters which led to the murder of 4 civilians and a police officer. It is, therefore, in their own interest first and foremost, in the interest of Anlo, and in the interest of the Government and the good people of Ghana that they are removed immediately, than wait until they facilitate and visit another disaster on Anlo or anyone else.

We are hopeful that all the parties involved in this matter will give peace a chance. Violent self-imposition, bloodshed and state sponsored coercive mechanisms cannot find place in today’s political time.

We also wish to remind all Anlo that the first decree to the Chieftain is; The People (State) does not live with (within) the Chief, it is the Chief who lives with (within) People (State)

Signed for and on behalf of Anlo Youth.

Mayor Agbleze Keneth Kpedor

P.Y Tsikata Del S. Nyamador

Frieda Y. Amable Selormey Azumah

Tuinese E. Amuzu Selorm Afagbemi

Tse Tamakloe Daniel Agbezudor Elvis Adika Carl Quao Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Philip Adraku Kofi S. Nenyonyoge