Akufo-Addo’s Minister allegedly meddling in Chieftaincy dispute in North Dayi

Akufo-Addo’s Minister allegedly meddling in Chieftaincy dispute in North Dayi

Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Herbert Krampa has come under fire for allegedly meddling in a Chieftaincy dispute in Botoku in the Volta Region. The Chieftaincy dispute that has now made the Botoku Traditional area to become volatile, sources say is as a result of an alleged attempt to install a rivalry paramount Chief for the area.

The persons who are said to be the orchestrators of the planned installation of the said rivalry chief are mentioned as Togbe Atakora VII, a sub Chief of Botoku, one Lawyer Atieku and a Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Herbert Krampa. This is according to Rev. Dr. Worlanyo Mensah.

Residents of Botoku have lived for 15 years without a paramount chief until a new paramount chief was installed for the area in April 2018 under the stool name, Togbega Sei II.

The new Paramount Chief was accepted into the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and gazetted on the December 21, 2022. Following the installation of Togbega Sei II, there were some disagreements by a faction in the Botoku traditional area.

The faction led by Togbe Atakora VII, has made some attempts in the past to install a rivalry Chief because they disagree with the choice of Togbe Sei II.

Togbe Atakora who describes himself as the Mankrado of Botoku therefore led a handful of persons in the Botoku township in preparation of the said installation.

Despite and injunction by a Court in Ho against the said installation, the duo alleged are yet to respect that order bringing the entire Botoku township into a state of fear and panic. Sunday, November 26, 2023 saw the said faction in top gear to install a new Chief at all cost despite the security implication of their actions.

Police personnel were deployed to the area to keep law and order due to the volatility of the environment in the Botoku township.

According to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, any disagreements by any faction regarding installation or gazette of chiefs must be challenged using laid down procedures. The Regional House of Chiefs therefore disagrees with the installation of rivalry chiefs in the Volta Region. This is to prevent pockets of disagreements that may end up endangering the peace and security of the region.

Botoku therefore recognizes Togbega Sei II as paramount Chief. Kingmakers from the area described attempts by the said faction to install a rivalry paramount chief as worrying. They say the action allegedly being led by the trio is an affront to the peace the area is currently enjoying. Rev Dr Worlanyo Mensah, Secretary to the Botoku Paramountcy who spoke with the media expressed shock over the development.

Rev. Dr. Worlanyo Mensah who spoke vehemently about the involvement of the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Herbert Krampa, condemned the action and warned that there may be dire consequences in the area in coming days if the trio are not stopped in their tracks.

Police in the area hints of the development, however, Chief Supt. Samuel Yeboah, Divisional Commander for Kpando says even though he has deployed men to the area, he is yet to have full details on the development.

Phone calls placed to Herbert Krampa’s MTN number were all unsuccessful in an attempt to seek his side of the story.

By Graham Kofi Baldwin