Key proponents of the creation of the Oti Region have vehemently rejected proposals to include Hohoe.
The rejection of the proposal by the Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, Togbe Gabusu VI, was brought to the fore this week.
During a rally at Jasikan, thousands of residents from Buem and other paramountcies in Northern Volta, stressed that Hohoe cannot be included in the Oti Region.
Thousands of supporters of the new region marched through the principal streets of Jasikan, capital of the Buem State, during the rally organized by the Oti Region Movement.
The protesters were clad in red and white attire with placards with inscriptions such as “Oti for Development, 100 percent Yes Vote for Oti” and “We don’t want Hohoe in Oti Region.”
Explaining why Hohoe cannot be part of the proposed Oti Region, the Director of Research of the Joint Consultative Committee, Martin Akotey, declared that Hohoe does not share any demographic features with the Oti Enclave.
He added that the people of Hohoe have never been involved in the over 50-year struggle for the creation of Oti Region.
He disclosed that the people of Hohoe in the pre-independence era voted against the addition of Trans Volta Togoland to Ghana whereas those in Oti Region backed the move massively.
To this end, he emphasized that “I call on you all to reject Hohoe’s attempt to be included in the Oti Region, I believe we are poised to deliver a 100 percent YES vote in the upcoming referendum.”
The rally, which took place at the Jasikan R.C. Park, was attended by chiefs, queen mothers, political and religious leaders and interest groups in the area.
The acting Buemhene, Nana Opraw Akuamoah VIII, recounted the numerous challenges natives and residents of the Oti Enclave faced in their quest for a separate region.
Krachiwura Speaks
The Chairman of the Joint Consultative Committee, Krachiwura Nana Mprah Besemuna II, used the occasion to officially announce the death of Dr Kwaku Addeah, Secretary to the Joint Consultative Committee and expressed optimism that his death would motivate them to attain the objective.
“We can give Dr Addeah a befitting burial through the creation of the Oti Region,” he said.
Prince Tetteh, President of the Tongu Youth Association, a group from southern Volta, in a solidarity message, said the Tongu youth support the creation of the region because a large number of their relatives live in the Oti area and suffer the same fate.
He, therefore, urged the government to do everything possible to ensure the creation of the Oti Region, saying, “A better life for Oti Region means a better life for Tongu settlers in Oti.”
The Amankrado of Jasikan, Samuel Duedu, donated a Land Rover vehicle to the Jasikan District Organizing Committee of the Oti Region.
The Chairman of the Committee, Asafoatse Obeng Akyea, who received the vehicle on behalf of the committee, thanked Mr Duedu and promised to put it to good use.
He also urged others in the Oti area to emulate his shining example.
(k.duodu@yahoo.com)
From Fred Duodu, Ho