Anlo youth appeal to IGP for protection

Ho (Volta Region) 1 September 2003 - The leadership of the Anlo youth has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Nana Owusu Nsiah, to order an investigation into the circumstances under which Alex Atiasa, son of a retired police officer Patrick Agboba, arrived in Anloga on 21 August, and fired volleys of ammunition into the air to intimidate the townsfolk, who were opposing the illegal outdooring of one Agboba, his father.

The youth leaders said the activities of Alex Atiasa include the violent assault on a member of the Royal Adzovia Clan that is opposed to Agboba's bid to occupy the exalted Awoamezi.

According to the youth leaders, plans are far advanced to stage a peaceful street protest to register their disapproval of Agboba as the heir to the throne and have vowed to resist any attempt to impose him on them.

"We know that Agboba has the support of certain prominent politicians from the area who are encouraging him to force his way onto the throne," Paul Kunkpe, a youth leader, explained.

Chronicle undercover agents who spent the weekend in the ancient town can confirm that the youth of the town are gearing up to hold peaceful street demonstrations to register their protest against the move by certain politicians, who hail from the area but are not kingmakers, to impose the retired police officer on the people.

According to the youth of the town, the modalities by which these prominent politicians are forcibly trying to install the retired police officer will only bring violence and further polarize the people and serve as a further point of disunity and ultimately impede the progress of the area.

A cross section of the youth leaders spoken to say the haughty attitude of his sons and their constant intimidation of residents of the town are not the attributes of princes and will therefore resist every attempt to impose him on the state.

Meanwhile a high level meeting was held last weekend to resolve the lingering chieftaincy dispute. Sources at the meeting told this reporter that the meeting was held in an atmosphere devoid of the fear and tension that has been engendered in the Anlo State, following media reports that a new Awoamefia had been installed.

According to our source, many prominent Anlo citizens who attended the meeting expressed their utmost unhappiness with the faction that put out the story about the installation of an Awoamefia.

To consolidate the prevailing peace and bring a speedy end to the crisis, a nine member committee, comprising representatives of the three gates, certain chiefs and other prominent citizens of the area had been set up to hold further consultations.