By Alfred K. Dogbey The claim by a section of the media that ex-President Jerry John Rawlings showed total disregard for the chief and people of Ave-Avenor Traditional Area in the Volta Region, who had invited him to Saturday’s durbar in honour of First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, has turned out to be a fabricated story.

A letter in the custody of this paper from Mr. Rawlings, indicate that the ex-President indeed, wanted to be at the grand ceremony held in Akatsi, but had accepted another engagement at time the invitation was delivered to him, so could not make it.

Mr. Rawlings in his letter addressed to the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Torgbui Samlafo IV, dated March 2, 2012, explained that the invitation to the March 3, 2012 durbar came to him on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at about 8:30pm by which time he had made some other commitment. It was signed on his behalf by the Director, Office of President Rawlings, Naval Captain H. Afeku-Amenyo (rtd).

Mr. Rawlings expressed his profound appreciation of the theme for the celebrations, which is “Honour Thy Heroes,” for, to him “a nation or a people that do not acknowledge their heroes will not have personalities ready to sacrifice for their people”.

The ex-president wished the elders and all citizens of Ave and Avenor Traditional Areas successful celebrations, and entreated the Planning Committee to use the occasion to sensitize the youth on the harmful effects of pre-marital sex and drug abuse.

The content of Mr. Rawlings’ letter was read to the mammoth gathering at the ceremony to a thunderous applause. Meanwhile the Paramount Chief of Anlo State, Togbui Sri III has crowned Edward Doe Adjaho, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ave-Avenor as a hero, describing him as an illustrious and dedicated son of the Ewe land.

The Paramount Chief made this assertion at a durbar christened “Honor Thy Heroes” by the Akatsi District Council of Chiefs (ADCC) and in collaboration with the Akatsi District Assembly, on last Saturday at the Akatsi Roman Catholic (RC) Park.

The ceremony which was led by Togbui Sri III himself and Prof. Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of Council of State witnessed an overwhelming reception by people from and outside the area. So massive was the attendance that some had to climb trees and rooftops to watch the ceremony unfold.

Togbui Sri described the durbar as a historic one “in honor of an illustrious and dedicated son of our land”. He was happy to hear that, “he (Adjaho) has been given the nod for the sixth time to represent the Constituency in Parliament”, adding “other constituencies in the Anlo State are now trying to emulate this shining style of yours”.

He decorated him with a golden medal from the Anlo State and also presented him with “Hogbeza Award”, an honorary award of the state.

Prof. Kofi Awoonor, lauded the organizers of the event, describing them as reasonable leaders, because Mr. Adjaho has really done well to deserve this honor and hope that people including the youths who are close will emulate his sterling example.

He noted that, it was in the wisdom of the government to appoint him Deputy Speaker, adding that Hon. Adjaho, has a lot to offer both his party and mother Ghana, for that matter.

Speaking in Ewe, he said “there is a lot of work for me in Parliament”. He urged the people of the area not to relent in their efforts to renew his mandate in the upcoming general election.

The Speaker of Parliament, Joyce Bamford-Addo, also gave a good account of her deputy to the gathering, saying she had a lot of respect for Mr. Adjaho, whom she first met some 20 years ago when he came for a job interview at the Attorney Generals Department.

According to her, Mr. Adjaho has been a very co-operative and reliable deputy, always making efforts to solve any problem confronting them in Parliament.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include; Mr. Koku Anyidoho, Communications Director at the Presidency, Mr. Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief Of Staff, Hon. Cletus Avoka, Majority leader in Parliament, Hon. John Tia Akologo, former Information Minister, Hon. Akua Sena Dansoa, Minister for Tourism and many other ministers and MPs.

Counting the achievements of the MP, Togbui Aklime Adifu IV, acting President of Akatsi District Council of Chiefs told dignitaries that Mr. Adjaho had sponsored over 500 students through their secondary and tertiary education and facilitated the construction of numerous classroom blocks, dormitories and ICT centers.

On electricity, Togbui Adifu said the MP had helped in the extension of electricity to almost every town, villages and even to kraals of Fulani people living in the district. As at 2011, 232 communities had been connected to the national grid, he said.

On road, he said, the MP was able to facilitate the construction of steel bridges on major roads linking communities which were regularly cut off during the raining season. He said five roads were selected for tarrying as phase one, while another five is expected in next year.

On water, he said the MP had won the favour of an NGO called Life Wells, which is in the district providing potable water to communities in the area.

Togbui Aklime noted that while others were fighting government over the location of district capitals and boundaries, theirs was smooth.

For these and many reasons he and his colleague chiefs believe that the MP more than necessary deserve honor as a hero of the land.

Citations, gifts including a stool, undisclosed number of luxurious Kentey clothes, cash donation from colleague members of the Volta Caucus in Parliament and District Chief Executives Caucus among others were showered on Mr. Adjaho.