Regent calls for installation of substantive Awoamefia

Anloga (V/R), Nov. 6, GNA - Regent Torgbui Sri III on Saturday stressed the need for the installation of a substantive Awoamefia, as soon as possible to promote the development of the traditional area. He has therefore, tasked the kingmakers to act quickly and initiate the process for the selection and consequent installation of the Awoamefia.

The regent was speaking at a well-attended durbar to climax the celebration of this year's Anlo Hogbetsotso festival held amidst heavy police and military presence.

Over 250 Policemen and 42 military personnel were deployed to the town to help forestall any actions that might threaten the peace and security in the area during the festival. The festival held on the theme: "Harnessing Our Collective Potential for Accelerated Development Through Peace and Unity," was nearly marred by fear of the celebration becoming violent, because of the acrimony between rival factions.

This fear prompted the Keta District Security Committee to issue a statement to suspend the celebration, citing security reasons. But in a latter statement the DISEC left the decision to celebrate the festival entirely in the hands of the chiefs of the area. An injunction filed at the High court to halt the celebration of the festival was also thrown out, paving the way for the celebration of the festival.

Chiefs and peoples of Anlo celebrate the festival annually in remembrance of the migration of their forefathers from Notsie to their present abode.

Regent Torgbui Sri III called on the people to bury their differences and bring their collective potentials to bear on the area's development to end the current level of deprivation and abject poverty. "The Anlo state is bigger than any individual and there must be room for genuine reconciliation to move the area forward," he said. "We cannot therefore sit back and let our area continue to stagnate and remain in the backwaters of development," he added.

Torgbui Sri pledged his continuous efforts towards peace and unity, saying that, he would go every length to make the dream of peace and unity a reality, as far as Anlo chieftaincy matter was concerned. "This occasion should begin the reconciliation process and provide the platform for harnessing the huge potential of the citizens both home and abroad and mark the new beginning of rejuvenating of the Anlo state."

The Keta District Chief Executive, Edward Ahiabor, tasked the elders to avoid the divisions among them, so they could deal with poverty, which is the greatest problem now.

Torgbui Hor II, Makorsor of Somey Traditional Area, who was visiting Anlo for the first time in 35 years, called for unity through reconciliation to enable them promote the area's development. He lauded the efforts of Regent Torgbui Sri III at reconciliation and expressed the hope that all involved in the dispute would avail themselves of the opportunity of peace to spur up development of the area.