... is subversive of Anlo constitution - Togbi Azadagli

Accra, Nov. 7, GNA - Some clan heads and chiefs of Anlo on Wednesday said the installation of Togbe Sri III as Regent and subsequently Awoamefia of Anlo State was subversive of their constitution.

This was contained in a statement read on their behalf by Togbi Azadagli III, Head of Tebgi at a press conference in Accra. A simmering chieftaincy dispute turned violent last week Thursday during the installation of the Regent of Anlo, Togbi Sri III as Awoamefia.

Six people, according to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Joe Ghartey died in the violence when police clashed with angry youth who were against the installation. The Government obtained a court order against the installation of Togbi Sri as the Awoamefia, but the Secretary of the Awoamefia Palace said the processes were completed before the court order was obtained. Togbi Azadagli explained that Awadada, the Head of the Agave Clan was the Commander-in-Chief of the Anlo State. The Awadada is the second in ranking in the Anlo State after the Awoamefia.

He said the first point of call after the Royal family had elected a person to be installed as an Awoamefia was the House of the Awadada. "The Awadada would then summon all the clan heads, who constitute the king makers of Anlo State, not the chiefs of Anlo or the Traditional Council, and the Royal Family made up of the three lineages that were eligible to the throne on an appointed date.

The Awadada would then ask the Royal Family to inform the king makers of the Anlo State, who were the clan heads, of the election of the next Awoamefia. The Head and elders of the three lineages would be asked in turns if they were in agreement.

"If they are unanimous the clan heads would go into Council, deliberate on the choice of candidate and make a declaration of their approval.

"The election is deemed completed and thereafter any objection from any person is deemed subversive. A date would then be fixed for the installation."

Togbi Azadagli said the Awadada would then send emissaries to all the chiefs and elders of the towns and villages in the Anlo State to gather at Anloga on the appointed date for the installation process of the Awoamefia to begin under the protection and the auspices of the Awadada.

"The installation process is complete when the Awadada introduces the newly installed Awoamefia to the citizenry at an outdooring ceremony at a much later date which could be at least six months after the initial ceremony began."

Togbe Azadagli said if the three families that constituted the Royal Adzovia Family were not unanimous at the meeting of the clan heads the Awadada would declare the election null and void. "The Royal family would then be asked to go back and resolve their differences, adding, "though the election is purely a family affair the declaration and the subsequent installation is a matter for clan heads that constitute the king makers".

He said any attempt to install a person without going through this process was deemed unconstitutional, a subversion and usurpation of the throne and the Awadada and the clan heads had a constitutional mandate to stop it.

Togbi Azadagli said the violence broke out because the Agave Clan, as owners of the shrine, also had propriety right to refuse the violation of their property under the laws of Ghana by use of reasonable force.

He said the use of the shrine for public rituals was always guided by rules and customs which in this case were not being followed. "The Agave clan, therefore, has a legitimate right in Anlo constitutional law and jurisprudence to refuse and resist the use of the shrine." Togbi Azadagli, on behalf of the chiefs expressed condolence to the wife, children and family of the police officer, who lost his life and those who suffered in various ways. 07 Nov. 07