By Bubu Klinogo
The people of Anlo-Afiadenyigba in Keta municipality of the Volta Region have called on President Akufo-Addo to relieve the District Chief Executive for Ketu North, Mr. Anthony Avorgbedor, of his position.
They accused Mr. Avorgbedor of showing gross disrespect to the Awoamefia of the Anlo State, Torgbui Sri, and the entire Anloland, as well as stoking conflict between the people of Weta and Anlo-Afiadenyigba.
Addressing a news conference in the town, the Secretary of the Anlo-Afiadenyigba Youth Council, Raphael Seth Borkloe, accused Mr. Avorgbedor of inciting and instigating some unknown youths of Weta to destroy a monument erected at the Anlo-Afiadenyigba Junction to commemorate the Hogbetsotso Mini Durbar held in the town on 29th October 2022.
The youth are also asking the police to invite the DCE as an accomplice in what they described as a criminal and dastardly act of destroying the monument that was unveiled by the Awoamefia.
According to the youth, Mr. Avorgbedor while addressing this year’s Galiza of the people of Ehi in the Ketu North district on September 30, 2023, incited the chiefs and people of Weta to rise up before the people of Anlo-Afiadenyigba, whom he described as strangers, took over their lands.
Just about two weeks after that, some masked youths bearing weapons allegedly went to the Anlo-Afiadenyigba Junction at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, and vandalised the monument.
In his address to the media, the secretary of the Anlo-Afiadenyigba Youth Council said they believed the unknown youths who carried out the act did so in accordance with the statement made by Mr. Avorgbedor.
The youth said the monument is a symbol of the 36 towns that constitute Anlo State, with the Awoamefi as the Head.
In that regard, they said any attack on the monument is an attack on the 36 towns and the authority of the Awoamefi. Mr. Borkloe said they are giving Mr. Avorgbedor a 14-day ultimatum to repair and restore the monument to its original status or face a series of other actions from them.
In order to avoid any future controversies, the youth have called on the appropriate state institutions, like the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Decentralisation, as well as the Electoral Commission, to take immediate steps to draw a clear boundary between the two neighbouring Anlo towns: Weta in the Ketu North district and Anlo-Afiadenyigba in the Keta municipality.
