Adaklu Kingmakers dismiss destoolment of Queenmother

Adaklu-Abuadi (V/R), April 18, GNA - The Kingmakers of Adaklu-Abuadi, in the Adaklu-Traditional Area of the Volta region, on Monday dismissed a purported destoolment of Mama Afedima II, Paramount Queen Mother of the Adaklu-Tradional Area by a youth group, as frivolous and of no account.

The group, calling itself Adaklu Namianyo Youth Association on May 9, last year rallied some elders and youth of the area to Adaklu-Abuadi, where it publicly labelled Mama Afedima, as a traitor, slaughtered a sheep and declared her destooled.

The group accused the Queen mother of clandestinely working against the interest of the traditional area's bid to have Adaklu-Waya, made the capital of the newly created Adaklu-Anyigbe District. Dr Encio Kofi Kpedekpo, Head of the Hosu Clan, speaking for the Hosu Clan from which the Queen mother was picked, told a press-briefing at Abuadi that the said youth group existed only on letter heads and did not represent the interest of the Adaklu Traditional Area. He said chiefs and queen mothers were enstooled by Kingmakers, who also had the authority of unmaking a chief or a queen mother and not any "unknown and unrepresentative group of trouble makers." Mamaga Afedima denied playing any role that represented an affront to the traditional area's bid to have Adaklu-Waya made the capital of the new district, instead of Agortime-Kpetoe.

She also dismissed claims of non-attendance at meetings and challenged her accusers to present the letters of invitation to her. Mamaga Afedima, who produced her symbol of office and the linguist staff at the briefing, said she was still the Queen mother and had been attending all council meetings of the Adaklu Traditional Council. She said it was unfortunate that those, who led the youth group, have refused to come forward to substantiate their allegations and threatened to go to court to redeem her image.

Mamaga Afedima expressed gratitude to the people of Adaklu-Abuadi for containing the provocation and avoiding any confrontation during the May 9, 2005 illegal ceremony to destool her.

Togbe Gbogbo Atsa V, Paramount Chief of the Adaklu-Traditional Area, who was at the briefing, stressed that no chief could be destooled through mob action.

The Adaklu-Traditional Area had contended the decision by government to make Agortime-Kpetoe the capital of the Adaklu-Anyigbe District and had been boycotting the Assembly's activities.

Meanwhile, the traditional area has set up a committee to review its position in relation to the Assembly.