By Jones Anlimah
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Tapre Hodo IV, has raised alarm over the proliferation of chieftaincy disputes in the region, revealing that 69 cases are currently pending before traditional councils and the House of Chiefs.
Speaking at the general meeting of the House in Ho, Togbe Tapre Hodo IV described the situation as “a very uncomfortable state of affairs,” blaming the disputes largely on the unlawful installation of rival chiefs. “Our region is still plagued with a myriad of chieftaincy disputes. Yesterday, at the meeting of the Standing Committee, a report was presented by the registrar, which showed that we have a total of 69 chieftaincy disputes presently pending… Unfortunately, I have always mentioned the fact that when a chief is occupying a seat, until that chief abdicates, is disowned, or dies, no one has the power to go and enstool a rival chief. It is unacceptable, and it is contrary to the law,” he said.
He urged traditional leaders to educate their citizens and resolve disputes through the appropriate legal channels. “If, for some reason, we do not believe that a chief should continue to hold his position, the right thing to do is to prefer a destoolment against the chief. But in the absence of that, you just cannot go and enstool a rival chief. This is the main source of the problem that we have at the moment,” Togbe Tapre Hodo IV stressed.
Responding to the concerns, the Volta Regional Minister James Gunu, assured the House that the Regional Security Council was prioritising the peace in the region.
He emphasised that ensuring peace and stability remains the first pillar of his three-point agenda for regional development, adding, “without peace and security, there cannot be any meaningful development.”
