The Volta Regional House of Chiefs, led by its president, Togbe Afede, has assured the Gbi Traditional council and its paramount chief, Togbega Gabusu, of new regalia and other royal insignia that were allegedly stolen during the attack on the chief’s palace at Hohoe.

The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli state gave the assurance when he and a retinue of eminent chiefs from the house met Togbega Gabusu to console him and lend their support in the peace process of Hohoe, following the attack on the palace which has led to the exodus of Muslim members of the community.

The Gbi traditional council had given the Zongo community a 48-hour ultimatum, which expires tomorrow, to produce all the regalia and ornaments stolen from the palace. Togbe Afede was in the company of Nana Soglo Alloh IV of Likpe, vice president of the house, Osie Adzatekpor VII of Avatime, Togbe Adzongaga Amenya Fiti V of Aflao, Togbe Delume VII of Ve, Togbe Osei Tutu Brempong III of Wusuta and Togbe Korku Ayim IV of Ziavi. Also involved in the meeting were COP John Kudalor, Director General of Operations at the Police Headquarters, the Volta Regional Minister, Henry Ford Kamel, and his deputy, Henry Ametefe.

Togbega Gabusu, who has been silent since the clashes erupted last Monday, appeared very confident and kept smiling throughout the meeting.

Togbega Gabusu VI, in a response, expressed gratitude to his colleague chiefs for the visit and assured them that he was well and ever ready to ensure that peace prevailed in Hohoe.

He also commended the Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Margaret Quarcoo, the security personnel and the regional minister and his deputy for the support so far.

He however expressed worry over the fact that his movement had been restricted on his own land. He added that since the beginning of the clashes, he had not seen his vandalized house or family, and all attempts to do so had proved futile. According to him, had it not been for the television, he wouldn’t have had an idea of the state of his vandalized house.

He said, “I have become a refugee in my own town…seeking asylum or whatever it is called elsewhere.”

He noted that he wished to go and see the house and at least properly assess the extent of damage and see how all that could be restored.

He added that he wanted to be with his family whom he said lived at a different location from his due to security reasons. He therefore pleaded with the regional minister, through his colleague chiefs, to facilitate his visit to his vandalized house and family.

Togbe Gabusu, who is also a member of the VRHC and its former president, expressed gratitude to the eminent chiefs for their visit.

Togbe Afede commended Togbe Gabusu and the people of Hohoe for their long-standing peaceful relationship with the Zongo community. On behalf of the chiefs of the region, he consoled the chiefs and people of Hohoe for their loss and appealed to them to let bygones be bygones.

He also appealed to them to give the Zongo community ample time to return the missing regalia.

The entourage also met the Zongo community in the Hohoe Central Mosque. Togbe Afede urged them to do all they could to return the regalia to ensure peace prevailed, adding that “Insha Allah”, peace would surely return to Hohoe and make way for more development and prosperity.

Assembly member of the area, Gibril Buhari, also thanked the eminent chiefs for their visit and appealed for an extension of the ultimatum. He added that they would find the regalia, but if not found, they would work on other alternatives.

Meanwhile, it is reported that over 3,000 Muslims living in Hohoe have fled the town to neighboring districts including Jasikan, Biakoye, Kadjebi and Kpando.

Samuel Adablah, Deputy Regional Coordinator of NADMO in charge of Operations, noted what the refugees needed most was food and shelter.

He added that arrangements had been made to provide some food items, tents and other relief items to the refugees to keep them safe until the situation in Hohoe became normal. At Jasikan, the entourage urged the refugees that all would be well.