Inauguration of Kpedze Traditional Council a gross distortion of customs – Divisional Chiefs

Three Divisional Chiefs of Kpedze Sreme, Todze and Anoe in the Ho West District of the Volta region have raised concerns over the newly created Kpedze Traditional Council describing it as a “gross distortion of customs”.

The Chiefs also said the inauguration was a contempt of court since an issue regarding the paramountcy was before a competent court of judicature.

Togbe Adzimah V, Spokesperson of the Divisional Chiefs addressing a press conference at Kpedze said the Kpedze Traditional Area had four divisions namely Awlime, Sreme, Todze and Anoe since time immemorial with each divisions having its own Divisional Chief.

He said in 2014, Togbega Atsridom V, Paramount Chief of Kpedze Traditional Area against customs and tradition, elevated Togbe Eyrui III, Clan Chief of Kumanyigbe Clan of the Sreme Division to the status of a Divisional Chief.

Togbe Adzimah said the elevation therefore created a fifth divisional chief in the Area which had four divisions adding that the elevation was wrongfully done since the paramount chief lacked the requisite capacity and more also, to have acted unilaterally in the elevation done.

He said Togbe Eyrui “falsely stated in his chieftaincy declaration form that he is a divisional chief of a non-existent Kumanyigbe Division”.

Togbe Adzimah said the Volta Regional House of Chiefs through its Registrar was notified about the “false declaration” but the House went ahead and facilitated the “wrongful gazette” of Togbe Eyrui as Divisional Chief.

He alleged that the Registrar upon advice from the paramount chief, refused to process the gazette of the “lawful Divisional Chief” of Sreme Division, Togbe Kelle IX (now deceased) while both equally refused to facilitate the gazette of Togbe Wusu VI of Kumadzigbe clan of the Sreme Division.

Togbe Adzimah said a Committee of eminent citizens was formed to look into the circumstances and upon investigation, it rightfully established that Togbe Eyrui’s stool had all along been a clan stool and not a divisional stool.He said the Committee urged the paramount chief to liaise with the Registrar to correct the false declaration but that was yet to be done.

Togbe Adzimah said the Council which was inaugurated without the issue being resolved despite involving the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Volta Region House of Chiefs, the court and other stakeholders meant that the wrong was going to be maintained.He said they were calling for the reversal of the wrongful elevation for development of the area since the situation had created divisions among the paramountcy adding that until their demand was met, they would never recognise nor work with the paramount chief.

Togbega Atsridom V, Paramount Chief of the Kpedze Traditional Area and President of the Kpedze Traditional Council in a response said he had not done anything wrong nor unlawful in the elevation of Togbe Eyrui as the Divisional Chief.

He explained that prior to his ascension to the throne, the Kumanyigbe Clan had been established by his predecessor, Togbe Atsridom IV as a Division and they had performed divisional roles for a very long time.

Togbega Atsridom said the Area had the Awlime Division as the division that produces the Paramount chief, Anoe Division as the Left Wing, Todze Division as the Right wing, the Sreme (Kumadzigbe) as Warlord and the Kumanyigbe as King Protectors.

He said he wrote a letter to the other divisions on his decision on the elevation of the

Kumanyigbe clan into a division which was lawful and right adding that following the process, the chiefs got defended.

Togbega Atsridom said delegation of the Kpedze Development Association called on him on the matter which he willingly offered a hearing ear but till date, the issue remained unresolved till the inauguration of the Council.

He said he later heard that the three divisions met at the Area’s durbar ground and said because Togbe Eyrui was not demoted, they broke oath with him as the paramount chief eventhough he only swore oath with Togbe Okumka, V, Divisional Chief of Kpedze Todze.

Togbega Atsridom said the aggrieved parties were not ready to listen to explanations well enough adding that the matter was not one that should be dragged although the matter was sent to court.

He appealed to them to come around so they joined hands to make Kpedze a better place that it was since generations would blame them if they failed to unite for development.