The Anfoeta Traditional Area in the Ho West District of the Volta region, has been granted Traditional Council status to perform judicial administrative functions among others.
A total of 15 traditional rulers were sworn into office with Togbega Kwasi Drah VII, sworn as the President of the Council.
Madam Comfort A. Apalayine, Ho West Magistrate administered the Oaths of Membership and Secrecy as well as the Judicial Oath.
Mr Baafi Nsiah, Chief Registrar at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs inaugurated the Council on behalf of the Minister, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng.
Mr Boateng said the inauguration of the Council was in fulfilment of Section 12(1) of the Chieftaincy Act which mandated the Ministry to create traditional councils in each paramountcy.
He said the inauguration was to help Togbega Drah to administer other traditional rulers as well as his subjects effectively.
“It is also to help you manage your lands and adjudicate cases that will occur in this traditional area effectively.”
Mr Boateng said the inauguration must integrate the area to enable all to work together hand-in-hand for the development and unity of the area while assuring the Ministry’s support for the success of the Council and the Area as a whole.
Togbega Drah said the people of Anfoeta had been craving for such a moment for many years now and were thankful to the Almighty God adding that “this is a day that will remain in the annals of this traditional area”.
He said the Anfoeta Traditional Area was one of the oldest traditional areas in the region that revered the institution of chieftaincy and appreciated the place it occupied in local governance in the country.
Togbega Drah said Anfoeta had seen a transition from the Native Authority system of administration as far as chieftaincy issues were concerned under the British colonial rule to that of Amalgamation of Traditional Areas, a system which compelled Anfoeta to belong to the Asogli Traditional Council.
He said the arrangement was aimed at enhancing effective and efficient administration and performance of the Chieftaincy institution in Ghana.
“Today, this system has also outlived its effectiveness and that is why it is heartwarming that the New Chieftaincy Act 759 had come into being”.
Togbega Drah said the Act 759 had made provision for the establishment of a Traditional Council in every Traditional Area to contend with the ever-emerging developmental challenges confronting the society.
He said the people of Anfoeta welcomed the new development wholeheartedly and hoped that it would serve as a catalyst in pushing the development agenda of the Area.
Togbega Drah expressed gratitude to the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister as well as Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister for the new moves being made to change the face of Chieftaincy in Ghana.
Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Ho West Member of Parliament (MP), said the inauguration symbolised authority while commending the Ministry.
He said four traditional areas; Anfoeta, Abutia, Akome and Kpedze were attaining the status of a Council while others would follow soon.
Dr Peter Hayibor, a Legal Consultant and Chairman for the Occasion called on the Council to begin to undertake self-help projects geared towards development.
Mr Harry Attipoe, Registrar of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, said the Council belonged to the people of the Area and called on all to continue to give their traditional leaders the needed support.
He commended the Togbega Drah for his exemplary lifestyle exhibited as a member of the Region House of Chiefs.
