Asogli chief endorses Togolese voters

At a time when the country is trying to put the issue of foreign voters to rest and concentrate on progressive issues that will transform the nation, the warlord of the Asogli State has openly admitted that some Togolese vote in Ghana.

He also encouraged their Togolese relations, who could not register prior to the last election, particularly those who will turn 18 years this year, to come out in their numbers to do so.

Togbe Adzi Lakle Howusu XII, who is the Divisional Chief of Ho-Dome in the Asogli State, made the comments when President John Dramani Mahama and his Vice Paa Kwesi Amissah-Authur led a government delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV.

The President, his Vice and chief of staff, ministers and other presidential advisers and staffers held a two-day retreat from Friday to Saturday in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.

The retreat, which was held at the new Volta Serene Hotel commissioned by the President a month ago, ended with a health walk through some principal streets of Ho.

In a closing remark at the meeting between the Asogli chiefs and the government delegation, the warlord of the Asogli State waded into the new voters’ register saga.

He confirmed that foreign voters do vote in Ghana and eulogized the General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

Togbe Howosu elatedly stated that “General Mosquito, I want to commend you for your good works, especially about the Togolese voters’ issue. Those claiming they are Togolese on the voters register should go and check the history of the Volta region. “We are here, but some people have their mothers and fathers in Togo.”

“So how can someone say they are not Ghanaians? Left to me alone, if they (EC) have the funds they should compile a new register and I can assure you that we will get our siblings and children who are 18 years from there to register in their numbers so don’t worry at all.”

His comments were greeted with laughter and fraternal gestures from both sides.

Another interesting observation was the continuous sound of the NDC anthem on the mobile phone of one of the senior chiefs of the Asogli state throughout the meeting.

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Also in the meeting was the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, the Volta Regional Minister, Helen Ntosu and her Deputy, Francis Ganyaglo, Communications Minister, Edward Omane Boamah and a Deputy Education Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Other senior members included Kofi Attoh and Asiedu Nketia.

Togbe Afede, in his address, called for peace especially in this election year.

President Mahama assured the nation of better days ahead and called on Ghanaians to renew his mandate.

The retreat allowed them to evaluate the activities over the last three years and get prepared for the busy schedule this year, which is the last in the first term of President Mahama.

They also had the opportunity to review strategies for the implementation of key policies earmarked in the 2016 Budget and other initiatives outlined in the State of the Nation Address.