Crisis in Anlogah

Why complicate the existing format of ordaining the Anlo Awoamefia (King of Anlos)? What I am about to say is to ask a question, clarify, and suggest a middle ground on which to resolve permanently the Adzorvia’s Kingship dispute. Among the numerous clans in Anlo Kingdom, only five clans in the Anlo tradition have a direct role in consulting and installing the King of Anlo Kingdom.

According to the tradition two of the clans “Adzoviawo descendants of Sri I” and Bateawo descendants of Adeladza I” are the rulers of the Anlo Kingdom, whereas, the remaining three clans are the Kingmakers with the blessing of the remaining clans.

The Anlo Awoamefia Kingship is rotational between the descendant of Sri I (the Adzorvia clan) and Adeladza I (Bateawo). Torgbi (Sri I) had three sons Fui-Agbeve, Dei-Azimexada, and Adzika-Adrafor. Now, my question is which of these three sons produced Torgbi Sri II after the death of Torgbi Adeladza I?

I am hopeful that, the following questions and clarifications will help find a middle ground to resolve this chieftaincy issue amicably. As I mentioned earlier, the enstoolment of Awoamefia is rotational between the descendant of Sri I (Adzorvia) and Adeladza I (Bateawo). Torgbi Adeladza II who passed away was Bateawo, therefore, his successor must be Adzorvia – descendant of Sri I.

The rules of engagement in installing the Awoamefia are as follows: The clan whose turn it is to select a successor does so without outside interference, and when a successor emerged the clan then inform the clan of the predecessor and the other three clans (kingmakers) of their choice. The kingmakers will call a special session to vet the candidate through spiritual consultation with the stool. Such a process is an important formality that affirms the spiritual and natural legitimacy of the candidate.

This format was adhered to when Torgbi Sri (I) died, the Bate clan selected Adeladza (I) to rule the Anlos. After the death of Adeladza I, Torgbi Sri II rose to the throne from Fui-Agbeve’s children. As you recalled Fui-Agbeve was the first son of Torgbi Sri I. Therefore, according to popular wisdom torgbi Sri III must come from the second son who was Dei-Azimaxada. It was under this popular and common notion that prevailed in the decision in selecting and enstoolment of the Police commissioner Agboba from Dei-Azimaxada’s descendants.

The descendants of the first and the second sons of Torgbi Sri I, protested lack of proper protocol though the former Police Commissioner legitimately qualified. This initial questioning of protocol was the beginning of the manipulation of the first and the last sons of Torgbi Sri (I) in halting the legitimizing Torgbi Agboba from Dei-Azimaxada (the second son) descendants. The descendants of the first and the second sons of Torgbi Sri I, protested lack of proper protocol though the former Police Commissioner legitimately qualified. This initial questioning of protocol was the beginning of the manipulation of the first and the last sons of Torgbi Sri (I) in halting the legitimizing Torgbi Agboba from Dei-Azimaxada (the second son) descendants.

Now that we have allowed a mere protocol to thwart formal introduction of the Police commissioner Agboba to the people of Anlo Kingdom, as Torgbi Sri III how do we in good faith reverse the travesty visited on the Kingdom? My solution to this is to rally behind the choice of Dei-Azimaxada family from the Adzorvia clan and ordain The Police Commissioner AGBOBA as TORGBI SRI III of the King of Anlos with the an agreement that the next king from Adzorvia clan will come from Adzika-Adrafor family (the third son of Torgbi Sri I).

Yao Fiagbeto Jonesboro, Ga. 30238

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