Agbogbomefia calls for growth of Ghana-Togo ties
The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State,Togbe Afede XIV, has envisaged that relations between Ghana and Togo would grow beyond the artificial colonial partitioning and protocols to demonstrate stronger and practical socio-economic linkages for the benefit of the two countries.
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He said protocols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were preventing easy trade and movement of people, goods and services.
Togbe Afede, who is also the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, was speaking at the 2013 Agbogboza of the chiefs and people of Notsie in the Republic of Togo at the weekend.
He urged political leaders in the sub-region to be assertive and show commitment to the measures that would facilitate integration and accelerated development of the people.
“You know what to do. Refrain from paying lip-service to the people’s aspirations,” he said.
He said Ghana and Togo should redefine their socio-economic ties and strike strategic partnership with the traditional authorities to facilitate borderless movement of people, goods and services.
Togbe Afede said the European Union was making colossal benefits from regionalisation and Africa must take a cue from it.
He said he intended to forge collaboration with Ewe-speaking traditional authorities in Ghana, Togo and Benin, to exploit chieftaincy as a catalyst for socio-economic growth and change.
Togbui Agokoli IV, Paramount Chief of Notsie, asked political leaders to resolve to tackle the problems of the masses, especially the teeming youth by engaging them in fruitful ventures.
President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe of Togo commended Togbe Afede and Togbui Agokoli for using chieftaincy as an institution to accelerate socio-cultural and economic integration of the two sister countries.
He pledged to strengthen Togo-Ghana relations.
Present at the function were Mr Aetheme Ahoomey-Zunu, Prime Minister of Togo, Mr Gilchrist Olympio, main opposition leader for the Union of Forces for Change, Togbui Amenya Fiti V, Fiaga of Aflao, Togbui Sri III, Awoamefia of the Anlo State and chiefs from Benin.
More than 500 delegates on pilgrimage accompanied Togbe Afede to the ancestral home at Notsie, where history says the Ewes migrated in the 12th Century to their present abode.
Source: GNA