After 13 years of dispute over the rightful successor to Awoamezi following the death of Togbui Adeladza II, a new Awoamefia for the people of Anlo has been installed at a colourful ceremony in Anloga in the Volta Region.

The new Awoamefia, Togbui Sri III, a retired Police Commissioner known in private life as Mr Patrick Agboba, was introduced amid jubilation and cheers from a large gathering and august audience, including the Chairman of the Council of State, Professor Kofi Awoonor; Mr Dan Abodakpi, Ghana’s Ambassador to Malaysia; Dr Benard Glover, a member of the Council of State; the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr E.K. Doe Adjaho; a Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Alex Segbefia, and Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister.

The event, which was incident free, was also witnessed by Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, district chief executives, as well as high-profile state officials.

As early as 7 a.m. chiefs from the 36 traditional areas of Anlo and cultural troupes had gathered at the Hogbe Park where the ceremony was held.

After some initial rituals, the new chief, dressed in rich Kente cloth and accompanied by his entourage, arrived at the durbar grounds amid the firing of musketry and the beating of talking drums.

Tradition was at its best, as the various culture troupes, such as the agbadza, atsiagbekor, kinka, zigi,, among others, tried to outdo one another with their rich traditional drumming and dancing.

The Awadada ( Warlord) of Anlo, Togbui Agbesi Awusu II, performed the final rituals to complete the installation process began by Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe about 10 years ago.

In his maiden speech, Togbui Sri III exhorted the chiefs and people of Anlo to put the past behind them and work closely to advance the cause of Anlo.

He acknowledged that the chieftaincy dispute which had dragged on for over a decade had hurt many interesting groups but appealed for unity and calm towards one vision of developing the area.

The Awadada called on all Anlos to put their shoulder behind the wheels and support the new chief to achieve his agenda of bringing development to Anlo.

In a welcoming address, the Dusi Fiaga of Anlo and Dufia of Woe, Togbui Gbordzor III, said the installation of the new chief would pave way for the massive development of Anloland.

Mr Francis Nyonyo, a businessman, who joined the chiefs later at the palace, called for support for the chief for him to unite the people for the much-needed development of the region.

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