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Withdraw military, police from
Anlo Chiefs
Accra, Nov. 7,
Ghanadot/GNA Some clan heads and chiefs of Anlo on
Wednesday called on the Government to, as a matter of
urgency, withdraw the military and police deployed at Anlo
to enable the people to go about their normal economic
activities.
They said this was necessary for the hundreds of youth, who
have fled the area because of the police presence and were
now hiding, to return to their homes and to enable them to
harvest their crops.
The demands were made at a press conference held in Accra by
some clan heads and chiefs of the Anlo State to clarify
issues about the recent happenings in the Anlo land,
especially in Anloga.
A simmering chieftaincy dispute turned violent last week
Thursday during the installation of the Regent of Anlo,
Togbi Sri III as Awoamefia.
Six people, according to the Minister of Justice and
Attorney-General, Mr Joe Ghartey died in the violence when
police clashed with angry youth, who were against the
installation.
The Government obtained a court order to stop the
installation but the Secretary of the Awoamefia Palace said
the processes were completed before the court order was
obtained.
A statement read on behalf of the clan heads and chiefs by
Togbi Azadagli III, Head of Tebgi, also called for the
immediate release of all those, who have been arrested in
connection with the disturbances.
In addition, the chiefs called for the removal of the
Regional Minister Mr Kofi Dzamesi and the District Chief
Executive (DCE) of Keta, Mr Kofi Ahiabor for their role in
the Anlo chieftaincy dispute.
Tobgi Azadagli III further advocated the immediate transfer
of all policemen currently stationed in Anloga and Keta for
supporting Awoamefia Togbi Sri III.
They called for the immediate transfer of the Volta Regional
Police Command, particularly, the Regional Police Commander,
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bernard Guyiri Dery.
Togbi Azadagli called for the setting up of an independent
and impartial judicial committee to investigate and provide
answers to the legitimate questions raised and to establish
the true facts of what precipitated the violence that
resulted in the deaths.
He expressed condolences to the families of those, who lost
their lives and said at the appropriate time a befitting
honour would be done to them as heroes of Anlo.
We appeal to all Anlos, both at home and abroad to remain
calm but vigilant in defending the truth.
Explaining the rationale behind their demands, Togbi
Azadagli said the Anlo Traditional Council did not have any
capacity to install a chief for the Anlos because of a
restraining order of the courts that had been standing since
2000.
He said the Judicial Committee of the Volta Regional House
of Chiefs issued restraining orders by virtue of suits filed
by Amega C. N.
Kwawukume; Seth Kwawukume;
Colonel Courage Togobo (rtd) and the late Kofi Togobo;
elders and principal members of the Royal Family.
He said the installation of Awamafia Togbe Sri III as regent
and as the substantive Awoamefia was restrained by separate
suits filed against him in 2003 and 2006 by the same persons
and which matter was still pending at the Judicial
Committee.
GNA
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