Kpoeta Kpodzi (Volta Region) 11 Oct. 1998 The chiefs and people of Beata Ashanti and Achem in the Ho district have settled all differences and reconciled after six years of conflict.

The two chiefs, Togbe Gadze the Eighth of Ashanti Kpoeta and Togbe Helekuku the Second of Achem agreed at a ceremony in Kpoeta Kpodzi to come together for the sake of peace and the development of the area.

The reconciliation was brokered by Mr Gershon Sakie, assemblyman for the area, Reverend Emmanuel Dixon Dei, district pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and Mr Francis Agbotse, MP for Ho West.

In 1992, the chiefs and people of Achem who share a boundary with the people of Todzi in the Republic of Togo complained to Togbe Gadze, their paramount chief, about an alleged encroachment on their land by the people of Todzi.

Togbe Gadze allegedly failed to act, prompting the police to arrest some chiefs and elders of Achem. Those who were arrested accused Togbe Gadze of reporting them to the police saying he has brkon his oath of allegiance to his people.

This resulted, was a rift between the two chiefs and their people. After several fruitless attempts to reconcile them, the EP Church agreed to provide a ram, some bottles of schnapps and a keg of palm wine for some rights to bring them together.

Mr Francis Kwaku, Presiding member for the Ho district assembly called on unit committee members to respect the authority of chiefs and work with them for the development and progress of their communities.

In a sermon, Rev Dei reminded the people that it is only in unity that they can wage a successful war on poverty, disease and under-development.

He deplored the practice whereby some Christians spearhead conflicts in their communities. GRi