Anlo Youth Council (AYC) is warning some elements of the public on Anloland, in the Volta Region as they predict possible Chieftaincy conflict in the area, from opposing gates to the Anlo throne.
According to them, the Youth will not remain aloof when the threat to peace in Anlo is imminent, they will hold individual actors responsible, “to the full extent of their action or inaction, should anything untoward happen again in Anlo”.
The Youth in a press statement issued and signed by its President, Mayor Agbleze has noted that, “a section of the Adzorvia clan are planning to nominate another Awoamefia”.
He said,
Thus, the AYC is saddened that “Nugbidodo (reconciliation) and Afekporkplor (cleansing) rituals, precedent to installation ritesof the Awoamefia, have been performed on Saturday March 14 by certain elements of the Adzorvia Clan in Anloga”.
Mr. Agbleze has stessed the point that, this latest development has the potential of breaching the relative peace that the people of Anlo have been enjoying after the November 1, 2007 crisis which led to, the killing of some innocent citizens.
“It is obvious to us that the Adzorvia Council and some opinion leaders in Anlo have not learnt from our immediate past and are acting out the same scripts that have put Anlo’s development on hold”, he added.
Below is the full original statement:
PRESS RELEASE
DATE: 20/03/2020
IMMEDIATE
TAKE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY – AYC CAUTIONS THE ADZORVIA CLAN.
The Anlo Youth Council (AYC) has noted with grave concern that a section of the Adzorvia clan are planning to nominate another Awoamefia.
Our concerns stem mainly from the fact that just like previous attempts since Togbi Adeladzea joined his ancestors, the known processes and procedures for the nomination, selection, installation and outdooring are once again not being followed, thus sacrificing due diligence on the altar of expediency.
In November 2007, before peace could return to Anlo, five persons died, having been killed by a reckless government response, ostensibly to maintain order. Several others died of their injuries afterwards, whilst others were maimed. A curfew that was imposed caused the local livelihoods millions of cedis. The perpetrators have since not been punished and no compensation paid to innocent victims of the mayhem.
All these are very fresh in our minds.
Thus, the AYC is saddened that Nugbidodo (reconciliation) and Afekporkplor (cleansing) rituals, precedent to installation ritesof the Awoamefia, have been performed on Saturday March 14 by certain elements of the Adzorvia Clan in Anloga.
This latest development has the potential of breaching the relative peace that the people of Anlo have been enjoying after the November 1, 2007 crisis. We want to plead fervent caution with the section of the Adzorvia Clan and individuals involved not to threaten the peace of Anlo again.
It is obvious to us that the Adzorvia Council and some opinion leaders in Anlo have not learnt from our immediate past and are acting out the same scripts that have put Anlo’s development on hold.
The Anlo Youth Council will not remain aloof when the threat to peace in Anlo is imminent and would hold individual actors responsible, to the full extent of their action or inaction, should anything untoward happen again in Anlo.
As the youth of Anlo, we would like to warn categorically that we would not look on for our common future to be mortgaged again for whatsoever reason.
We humbly but firmly wish to remind the various actors that, it is the right of the Adzorvia and Bate Clans to provide a candidate or candidates for the Awoamezi. But the consequent processes depend on other Clans.
The Adzorvia must therefore engage the other Clans, through the Awadada and Lafe Clan and eventually all the Clans to mediate the impasse if any at all.
All nomination processes hitherto must cease forthwith.
We also humbly and respectfully call on the Awadada of Anlo, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II and the Anlo Traditional Council to, as a matter of urgency, show leadership to keep the peace in Anlo.
Finally, AYC wishes to serve notice that it would fiercely resist any act that threatens the peace of Anlo and hereby charge all actors to commit to the relevant traditional processes with a lot more pragmatism and in the higher interest of Anlo.
Long Live Anlo Youth Council!
Long Live Anlo!!
Mia Denyigba Lorlor!!!
The President
Mayor Agbleze
Anlo Youth Council
20/03/2020
Source: Edzorna Francis Mensah