Creation of new regions: Stick to the law – Togbe Afede urges

The President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede IVX, has cautioned all stakeholders including government and the Electoral Commission to respect the laws of the state regarding the creation of new regions. 

He said whatever must be done should be in the interest of peace and unity among all people in Ghana.

The Agbogbomefia alluded to several concerns he has received over the areas to be earmarked for the referendum to be held per the recommendations of the Justice Brobey Committee of Enquiry into the creation of the new regions.

"It is obvious that the creation of new regions will result in the alteration of existing boundaries. Indeed, if one of the issues to be decided in such a referendum is the boundary of a new region, then it is difficult to see how voting could be limited to people within the assumed boundary," said Togbe Afede.

According to Togbe Afede, he had been beseeched with several petitions regarding some reported recommendations of the committee some which have generated controversy especially the inclusion of Lolobi and Akpafu in the proposed Oti region and the conduct of the referendum.

"I have received a petition from the chiefs of Lolobi and the Akpafu traditional rejecting their inclusion in the proposed Oti region. I have received petitions from Voltarians who feel entitled to vote in the referendum,” the Agbogbomefia said.

He, however, cautioned that talking about the creation of Oti region is not about National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) since both parties promised same in the 2016 elections campaign.

Togbe Afede was addressing the climax of this year's Asogli Te Za at the Jubilee Park in Ho. 

In his response, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, assured the Togbe Afede that his concerns will be forwarded to the appropriate quarters for some attention.

He also called on the Agbogbomefia to throw his weight behind the implementation of government projects such as Free SHS, Double Tracking System and One District, one factory.

This year's celebration of the Asogli Te Za coincides with the 15 years anniversary of the installation of Togbe Afede IVX as the Agbogbomefia of Asogli.

The anniversary drew people of all walks of life to Ho including others chiefs across the country, the diplomatic corps, politicians from both sides of the political divide and the religious and indigenes of Asogli.