The Chiefs and people of Buem addressing the media
CHIEFS AND people of Buem Traditional Area in the Volta Region have endorsed the creation of the proposed Oti Region, lambasting Agbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, and others who are ‘kicking’ against the establishment of the region.
At a press conference held recently, the chiefs described the positions of Togbe Afede XIV and others on the proposed region as “unpleasant developments.”
Togbe Afede is reported to be inciting people against the move by the Akufo-Addo administration to create the proposed Oti Region out of the Volta Region.
But the chiefs and people of Buem believe the posture of Togbe Afede, and those kicking against the creation of the region, is unfortunate.
“We note, however, the very unsavoury language in which Togbe Afede describes the work of the Commission of Inquiry and taking the President of the Republic to the cleaners for his references to the manner in which referenda were held in Spain, Scotland, Eritrea, South Sudan and Trans Volta Togoland,” the chiefs said.
“We believe Togbe’s emotions, personal interpretation of the Constitution and other considerations caused him to lower his guard as a chief to spew out such language which for the sake of decency we do not want to repeat here,” they added, calling him “to rise above ethnic pettiness and play a more mature role as the President of the National House of Chiefs and a member of the Council of State.”
According to the chiefs, residents of the area “have sought to have a region for ourselves in view of the continuous deprivation and underdevelopment being suffered by our people.”
They stated that “indeed, this felt need had become so dire that requests were made to the two leading presidential candidates in the 2016 presidential election campaign – then president John Mahama and candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo – for the creation of the new region on assumption of office.”
Surprisingly, the chiefs lamented that “today, some detractors from the Volta South have entered the Oti enclave and going door-to-door asking residents not to vote yes in the upcoming referendum.”
“This is highly provocative, to say the least. What is their motivation for travelling from the south of Volta to carry out this nefarious activity in a territory, which is bent on ensuring that Oti happens?” they quizzed.
BY Melvin Tarlue