Torgbiga Adama petitions government for Ketu South split

Paramount Chief and President of the Somé Traditional Council in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region, Torgbiga Adama III, has appealed to the government to consider splitting the municipality.

Torgbiga Adama appealed on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at a durbar of the chiefs and people of Somé at Agbozume, the traditional capital to climax the area's socio-cultural and development festival, Sométutu Zâ.

The Paramount Chief noted that the call for the split had been pending for some years and urged government representatives present at the durbar, including dignitaries from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MCRA) to take the issue up on a ticket of urgency.

He said: 'I am appealing to the Electoral Commission (EC) and government on the need to divide the Ketu South Constituency/Municipality - Indeed, this issue has been pending since the time of Dr. Afari Gyan, the former EC Chairman."

Torgbiga Adama highlighted some achievements in the traditional area especially in the education sector where some public-spirited individuals championed the provision of facilities in some schools to enhance teaching and learning outcomes in the enclave, expecting that more of such benefactors would show up to bring projects to cater for other aspects of life like health, sports and employment.

The Makorsor of Somé also touted the prevailing peace and unity in the area, thanking his dedicated chiefs and people for their untiring efforts towards the reconciliation, peace and unity process, urging the citizenry not to relent on their efforts to consolidate the lasting peace and unity of the land.

He touched on other issues of importance to Somé including lack of portable drinking water, a major challenge to the area spanning several years, drug abuse and social vices by the youth and bad internal road networks, indicating steps the traditional area intended to take and further asking for support to address those shortfalls.

On national issues, Torgbiga Adama said it was time to amend the 1992 Constitution to allow traditional councils in the country to lead local governance as he believed the country's democracy and local governance structures had not effectively facilitated the level of development being sought at the district level.

He urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure fairness in the 2024 general elections and to engage with all political parties respectfully while calling on political parties to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and prioritise peace dialogue in the run-up to the December elections.

Chief Director of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Madam Halima Yakubu, who represented the Sector Minister described the theme for the 2024 celebration, 'Sustaining the Peace and Unity of Somé for Development' as apt, highlighting the significance of peace in the development of any traditional area.

Former President John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) through his representative, Prof Joshua Alabi assured of continuous support to Somé when given the nod to lead the country again after the elections in December and asked for support for the victory of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to rescue Ghana from the quagmire of bad governance from the current leadership and reset the country on the path of prosperity.

The durbar, chaired by Torgbiga Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief and President of the Aflao Traditional Council, showcased the rich traditions of Somé.

In attendance at the festival were traditional leaders from Aflao, Klikor and Avenor and other dignitaries including Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee, the Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana.