The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has cautioned Mr. Ephraim Agbeko Woadorgu, also known as Torgbi Wenya III, to desist from holding himself as the Dutor of the Anlo State.
A letter from the Ministry dated Wednesday, September 27, addressed to Torgbi Wenya III, and copied to the Minister of National Security and other relevant institutions, also advised him not to organize any Hogbetsotso festival celebration, saying his actions have the potential of breaching the peace of the Anlo Traditional Area.
The letter, signed by the Sector Minister, Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, sighted by our news team, noted, ‘according to section 63 (a) of the Chieftaincy Act 2008, Act 759, that, was an offense for a person to “act or perform the functions of a Chief when that person is not qualified to act.”
The Minister explained that the letter was a follow-up to a meeting held with the representatives of Torgbi Wenya III on Thursday, August 31 2023, at the Ministry, during a discussion of Torgbi Wenya’s claim to be the Dutor and leader of the Anlo State and his decision to celebrate this year’s Hogbetsotso festival.
Mr Asamoah Boateng stated, “After the meeting with your representatives, I also met representatives of the Awoamefia to listen to their side of the matter.”
The Minister said he had also investigated Torgbi Wenya’s claims, adding that his investigations at the National House of Chiefs showed that no Chief has ever been registered as the Dutor in the Anlo Traditional Area.
According to the Minister, since the inception of the registration of Chiefs by the National House of Chiefs, the overlord of the Anlo Traditional Area has always been the Awoamefia.
He advised Torgbi Wenya to make use of the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs and possibly the National House of Chiefs if he wishes to pursue his claim.
“I am by a copy of this letter informing the National Security Minister of my decision and to ask him to put the necessary measures in place to prevent you from organizing any festival,” the letter stated.
Torgbi Wenya III, was, in April 2023, installed and subsequently coronated as the Dutor of the Anlo State.
The move has not only generated a lot of debate among the sons and daughters of the Anlo Traditional Area but also raised several questions about the chieftaincy tradition and values of the Anlo State.
This year’s Hogbetsotso festival celebration is scheduled for Saturday, 4th November 2023, at the traditional capital of Anloga in the Anloga District of the Volta Region.
By Leo Nelson || Ghananewsonline.com.gh