King Makers of the Peki Traditional Area, in the South-Dayi District, on Friday formally announced the death of Togbe Kwadwo Dei XI, Paramount Chief.

The ceremony, held at the forecourt of the king’s palace at Peki-Blengo, was characterised by ululations, gun fires, dirges, drumming, Asafo songs and mystical performances.

Togbe Abe Vuha III, Dzasehene of Blengo-Peki, made the formal declaration on behalf of royal families of Adivieyi, Blengo-Peki, the Peki Traditional Council and the entire citizenry of Gbi Kingdom.

The Gbis, populating Hohoe and its environs, and the Pekis are family, split by mass migration, the ties now marked by a yearly Gbidukorza Festival, hosted in turns by the two areas.

The late Togbe Dei XI, known in private life as Seth Yao Tutu Brempong, was born on Thursday, November 5, 1931, became King on Monday May 8, 1961 after his military career.

Togbe Abe Vuha, mentioned the Ghana-German Agricultural Settlement Farm at Agbate, Peki, Government Hospital at Tsame-Peki, Peki Town roads and the establishment of the Gbi reunification festival as projects and programmes the late chief championed.

He said the late Togbe Kwadzo Dei, with two other chiefs, were founding fathers of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.

Togbe Abe Vuha said a programme towards the burial of the late chief would be unveiled later to the entire citizenry of the Peki Traditional Area and the country at large to ensure a befitting entombment of Katamanto, Gbedegbleme Togbe Kwadwo Dei XI.

He said a burial committee and sub committees were in place to ensure burial arrangements were in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Pekis.

For the next two weeks, Peki would be in red to mourn the departed chief.