Kingmakers of Tanyigbe Traditional Area in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region have entreated the Volta House of Chiefs to enforce the judgment of protracted chieftaincy disputes in the area between 2017 and 2025.
According to them, the faction, which was faulted in the case, has refused to abide by the judgment, hence undertaking illegal installation of sub chiefs, among others, which may affect the peace being enjoyed in the area.
The Kingsmen observed that sitting aloof without coercing the faction to respect the ruling and desist from such illegality would worsen the leadership crisis in the area.
Background
The search for a successor of Togbega Kwasi Adiko V in 2015, who ruled as the Paramount Chief of the Tanyigbe for about 64 years, birthed a controversy over the right heir to the stool.
In August 2017, the Anyidoto Clan and the Kodivi Clan both installed persons they identified as the Paramount Chief.
The Anyidoto Clan installed Wonder Kweku Akoto as Togbe Etoi-Kodzo II, while the Kodivi Clan installed Roland Kofi Adiko as Togbega Kodi Adiko VI.
Both individuals carried themselves as the Paramount Chief of the area and performed duties as such.
This created some tension in the Tanyigbe Traditional Area, breeding division, and hatred among the residents.
Petition to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.
Sensing the tendency of the case, which was identified to lead a chaos, the Royal Akoto Family of the Anyidoto Clan petitioned the Volta Region House of Chiefs to adjudicate the case.
It argued that the occupancy of the paramount stool was rotational between the Anyidoto and Kodivi Clans, based on the chieftaincy history of Tanyigbe. This was agreed upon by the forefathers to ensure peace, unity and progress in the traditional area.
It added that the Paramount Chief position, also known as Fiaga, rotates between the Doku Dzehe stool of the Anyidoto clan and the Kofi Ayefior stool of the Kodivi Cla,n all of Tanyigbe Anyigbe.
The Royal Akoto Family posited that Fiaga Etoi of the Aynidoto Clan first occupied the position between 1840-1896 when the Tanyigbe people agreed to elevate the community leadership position from Ametsitsi to a Chief (Fiaga).
Fiaga Etoi was succeeded by Fiaga Goto Kosi of the Kodivi Clan, who was the second paramount chief. His reign ended in 1913, when Aku Ansa of the Anyidoto Clan was installed as the third paramount but died after 3 months on the throne.
Due to the short term of his rulership, the community agreed to pick an heir from the same Anyidoto Clan, leading to the installation of Fiaga Togbe Kwami Ekpe Akoto IV.
His demise in 1951 saw the beginning of the Kingship of Fiaga Togbe Kwasi Adiko V from the Kodivi Clan. Being the fifth Paramount Chief, he ruled until August 2015, when he died.
The attempt to twist historical facts.
The Royal Akoto Family indicated that the late Togbe Kwasi Adiko V attempted to twist the chieftaincy lineage following a directive by the late President Jerry John Rawlings in 1983, for all paramountcies to submit names of their lines of succession to their respective stools.
This attempt was swiftly objected to by Togbe Kofi Akoto, emphasising that the Tanyigbe Paramountcy was rotational between the Kodivi and Anyidoto clans.
This was authenticated by the Research Committee of the Volta Region House of Chiefs after investigating the claim. Togbe Kofi Akoto had a judgment ruled against him in the substantive case and the appeal case. He was fined five hundred thousand Cedis.
Outcome of petition hearing.
The Judicial Committee of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, after listening to both factions and having conducted its independent investigations, ruled that “the paramountcy of Tanyigbe is not the sole preserve of the Kodivi Clan.”
“This Judicial Committee also finds and holds accordingly that in view of the findings above, it was the Anyidoto clan, not the Kodivi clan, which ought to have presented a candidate for the paramountcy after the death of the late Togbe Kwasi Adiko V.”
“Accordingly, 3rd Respondent, Roland Adiko, ought not have been enstooled after the death of the late Togbe Kwasi Adiko V since in the scheme of the rotatory system, he does not hail from the ‘appropriate’ clan/lineage to be paramount chief after the late Paramount Chief, Togbe Kwasi Adiko.”
“By reason of the aforesaid, this Judicial Committee declares the enstoolment of 3rd respondent, Roland Adiko, as null and void and we will proceed to set aside the nomination, election, selection and enstoolment of the 3rd respondent, Roland Adiko, as paramount Chief of Tanyigbe Traditional Area”, stated the judgment.
Call for action
Addressing a press conference at Tanyigbe Anyigbe on Sunday, Togbe Holawu expressed disappointment at Roland Adiko, who still identifies himself as the Paramount Chief, supervising the installation of a Sohefia (Youth Chief) among other “illegal acts.”
He entreated the appropriate authorities to prevent the outdooring of the supposed Sofia, scheduled for September 26, 2025, since the community already has an individual occupying such a position, labelling the act as an illegality.
“Mr. Adiko has no power to do such a thing. We call on the authorities of the Ho Municipality and the Volta Region Security Council to ensure such an event does not take place.”
“Besides, Tanyigbe already has a Sohefia who has been performing his duties, why install a rival Sohefia? Tanyigbe’s development has stalled because of these self-centred individuals who have brought the Chieftaincy dispute upon the people.”
“Our roads, Schools, water systems, community centres, and other development projects are either stalled or need serious attention”, he said.
He stressed that the Royal Akoto Family only aimed to preserve the customs and traditions of the traditional area and promote peaceful co-existence, hence petitioning the Volta Region House to adjudicate the issues.
“This dispute has been resolved by the Volta Regional House of Chiefs. We are calling on all to abide by it for Peace to prevail in Tanyigbe so we can return to the path of development”, he concluded.
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