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Regional News of Saturday, 19 February 2011

Source: The Herald

‘Torgbui Sri’ Backs Anlo Awomefia Talks

Businessman and oil mogul, Francis Nyonyo Agboada, has declared his fullest support for ongoing talks by the elders towards the installation and outdooring of a new overload of Anlo, Awomefia, and distanced himself from some persons who are purportedly acting in his name to thwart the efforts.

Mr. Agboada who is currently the Regent of Anlo, “appeals to all citizens to help in consolidating the peace in Anlo and to contribute to the meaningful development and progress of our motherland.”

The Herald last week broke the news that the people of Anlo in the Volta Region were on Sunday, February 13, to outdoor a retired Police Commissioner, Mr. Patrick Atsiasa Agboba, as their paramount chief, (Awomefia) under the stool name Togbi Sri III.

But although the ceremony was postponed, talks are still ongoing in connection with the installation and outdooring, according to insiders, the outdooring will be done before the Easter festivities. Mr. Agboba will be succeeding the late Togbi Adeladza who died over 13 years ago, after ill health.

In a press statement released last Wednesday, he insisted:

“I have stated clearly, so many times, and I wish to restate it here again that, I, Francis Nyonyo Agboada, Fiadomegatala (Regent of Awoamezi), have relinquished my claim to the Awoamezi, and I am fully in support of current efforts towards resolving any differences in the Royal Adzovia Clan and the consequent outdooring of the Awomefia of Anlo.”

Mr. Agboada who owns the oil marketing company, Fraga Oil, described the ongoing talks as “genuine efforts” being made by elders of the Adzovia Clan to bring the protracted chieftaincy dispute to closure,” and called for total support to all those behind the effort.

This, he hoped, will resolve the unfortunate division and disagreements in the Royal Adzovia Clan with regards to the nomination, installation and outdooring of the next Awomefia of the Anlo State.

“I wish to use this medium to state clearly and without any equivocation whatsoever that those youth are not in any way whatsoever acting on my behalf,” the statement concluded.

The absence of a legitimate Anlo overlord adversely affected the peace and development of one of the respected traditional areas in the country.

The dispute has led to curfews and violent clashes which resulted in the deaths of many people, including police officers and also led to several court cases at Ho; it is not yet clear whether the court cases have been resolved.

Mr. Agboba is said to have gone through all the necessary customary rites, and introduced to all the chiefs in Anlo as their new Awomefia. He is from the Adzorvia Yorxoenu Clan of the Anlos.