Kpando chiefs to smoke peace pipe
The chiefs of Aziavi, Fesi and Aloyi in the Kpando Traditional Area in the Volta Region have agreed to smoke the peace pipe to help end the over 35-years protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area.
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The chiefs are Togbe Diawusie III, Togbui Afendza III and Togbe Komla Teng V of Aziavi, Fesi and Aloyi respectively.
The move, which is to help allow peace to prevail in the area followed a reconciliation process initiated by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpando, Mrs Della Sowah in 2016.
The dispute between the three chiefs has lasted for more than three decades, hence stalling the development in the three communities.
The MP for the area last year appealed to the Akpini Traditional Council to intervene in the dispute.
The traditional council further handed over the matter to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs whereby a reconciliation committee was set up by the regional house of chiefs to oversee the issue.
October 19, 2017, has been set to finalise the reconciliation process between the three chiefs at the palace of Togbe Afendza III at Kpando Fesi.
Speaking at a durbar in Kpando, the chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, the Paramount Chief of Ziavi Traditional Area, expressed worry that the protracted chieftaincy dispute has affected the development of the area.
He was, however, of the view that with unity, the Kpando Traditional Area would witness glorious days ahead.
As a first step of the reconciliation process, the Chiefs of the Anyigbe Division of Kpando on Thursday, September 21, 2017, performed traditional rituals to remove the oath sworn against each other.
They also performed rituals to pacify the stools to mark the beginning of the peace process.
In a speech, the Member of Parliament for Kpando, Mrs Della Sowah said the event marked the beginning of the end of the chieftaincy dispute among the people of Kpando.
She said the presence of all other chiefs from Gbodome and Atsifome divisions signified their commitment to come together for the development of the area.
She added that the dispute have not only disturbed the development of the area but it has also affected the celebration of the annual Danyibakaka festival which reminds the people of their historic exodus from Notsie in Togo land.
For his part, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Kpando, Mr. Elvis Djampoh commended Mrs Della Sowah for initiating the peace process to reconcile the three chiefs.