Kpando, Sept. 7, GNA- Feuding factions in a 17-year chieftaincy dispute in the Kpando Traditional Area in the Akpini Traditional Council on Tuesday smoked the peace pipe to indicate the end of hostilities. The peace was brokered by Mr. Sampson K. Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, under the auspices of Togbega Gabusu VI, the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and the Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area. Mr. Boafo commended the factions for finally deciding to peacefully co-exist, which was a prerequisite for socio-economic empowerment and development.

He wondered how much loss the area had incurred in terms of development in the past 17 years and prayed that the feat reached would be built on to attract the necessary investment to the area. Mr. Boafo pledged that government would ensure the rapid development of the area and urged the factions to work hard to sustain the peace.

Mr. Dzamesi commended Mr. Boafo for ensuring the amicable resolution of the conflict attesting to the wisdom in setting up the Ministry.

The Regional Minister pledged the support of Regional Coordinating Council to ensure absolute peace in the area.

Togbega Gabusu said the conflict negatively affected deliberations in the House and hoped that the initiative would be respected and consolidated to facilitate socio-economic development of the area. He noted that the failure to observe the "Dayiba Kaka" festival of the people of Akpini, which was hitherto a rallying point for unity and development, was one of fallout of the conflict. Togbega Gabusu pledged to supervise rituals to revoke ancestral spirits, which were previously invoked during the conflict for a lasting and total peace.

The conflict, revolved around the selection and installation of Togbega Dagadu VII as Paramount Chief of the Akpini Traditional Area, which was opposed by Togbe Apendza II, Chief of Kpando-Fesi and his followers, one of the three Warlord Gates. Members of the Gate claimed the were side-stepped in the installation rites, with many failed Court intercessions to normalize relationships.

Togbe Komla Teng V, Chief of Kpando-Aloyi, spokesman of Togbega Dagadu and Togbe Apendza, representing the two factions, who underwent the initial purification and peace rites reaffirmed their commitment to the maintenance of the peace and urged their supporters to follow suit.