Nkonya, Alavanyo Not Litigating Over Land - Chiefs

Vice President With the Chiefs in a handshake

The leaders of Nkonya and Alavanyo have refuted claims that the two factions were engaged in a land dispute. According to them, the land dispute is between individuals and families from both sides and not the entire traditional areas.

This came to light when leaders of the two factions met Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Friday to find a lasting solution to the over 90-year-old conflict.

This will be the third attempt by government to broker peace between the two parties after talks stalled in 2013. In December last year, there were renewed clashes that left one person dead.

The violence in the two communities has persisted for years despite several mediation attempts.

The paramount chief of Alavanyo Traditional Area, Togbe Tsedze Atakora VII stressed, “I also want to put it on record that it might surprise everybody here that Alavanyo and Nkonya have never gone to court over land. If anyone has that record, let him show it.”

He further clarified, “I am saying that some people from Nkonya Tayi and six individuals from Alavanyo went to court over land.”

Alavanyo/Nkonya Conflict; third mediation attempts begin

Efforts to broker lasting peace between the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya traditional areas has been reactivated by the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Friday at a meeting held at Kpando with leaders of both communities and witnessed by the Paramount Chief of Akpini (Kpando) traditional area Togbe Dagadu VIII.

The meeting is the third attempt by government to broker peace between the two disputing communities in the decades old conflict over a disputed land.

In December last year, there were renewed clashes following gunshots that left one person dead. The violence in the two communities has persisted for years despite several mediation attempts.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who expressed unhappiness over the protracted conflict, warned the feuding factions that government will no longer tolerate the continuous violence being perpetrated in the area.

He said the cycle of retaliation must end, as it was affecting the local economy of the area since, whiles the cost of the conflict is also getting higher since government has to spend lots of money in maintaining the police and the military there for peacekeeping.

“Our generation must decide that these things must come to an end. Our generation must secure the future.”

2014 Asogli Yam festival Climaxed in Grand Style

Togbe Afede

A durbar of chiefs and people of Asogli has taken place on Saturday at the Ho Jubilee Park to climax this year’s Asogli Yam Festival the celebrations.

The durbar saw the showcasing of the rich cultural dexterity of the four traditional areas forming Asogli, which include Akoefe, Ho, Kpenoe and Takla.

The festival attracted Ewes from the Republic of Togo, led by Togbe Agokoli IV, Ewefiaga as well as local and foreign tourists, chiefs and some members of the diplomatic corps.

A high powered government delegation led by Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur was also in attendance.

Addressing the gathering on the theme “Let’s make our nation great and strong,” Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State said Ghana could “bounce back” as a strong nation should the “right system and spirit” be developed.

According to him, the current challenges confronting the nation could be corrected if the right systems and spirit is developed through truthful leadership and patriotic citizenship.

“Notwithstanding our current difficulties as a nation, if we can develop the right system and the right spirit, our situation will correct itself, and we shall bounce back and forge a path towards greatness, as envisaged by our founding fathers,” he added.

He said building a great nation is a process, which involves the construction of “right systems” using the power of the State to unite and inspire the people, to contribute towards the building of a politically and economically stable and viable nation.

The Agbogbomefia called the appointment of ‘hard working men and women, who value truth and honour, with demonstrated capabilities’ into public office to ensure national progress.

Togbe Afede also bemoaned the acrimonious nature party politics in the country and called for its redirection on development instead of its preoccupation of only winning elections.