Accra, Oct 21, GNA - Some chiefs and opinion leaders of the Anlo Traditional Area on Friday petitioned Mr Edward Ahiabor, the Keta District Chief Executive, to restrain the celebration of the Hogbetsotso Festival of the chiefs and people of Anlo in the Volta Region. In a letter to the DCE, the chiefs appealed to him to use his high office to restrain those "who are planning the celebration until a substantive Awoamefia is installed."

They stated that Togbi Agbesi Awusu 11, Awadada of Anlo, Togbi Addo, Fiaga of Klikor and Mr Francis Nyonyo Agboada, a proposed regent of Awoamefia stool, are contesting the position of Awoamefia. The chiefs and opinion leaders called for the suspension because important rituals that precede the celebration were not performed and this could incur the wrath of the gods and bring some repercussion on the people.

The petition, copied to the Regional Minister, the Regional and Divisional Commands of the Ghana Police Service, Togbi Agbesi Awusu, stated that the mini-durbar that normally precede the main celebration was left out of the programme.

The petitioners, Togbi Zewu 111, Dufia Gidiga Dotse and Dumega George Avenor said the peace and security of the Anlo State cannot be "guaranteed before, during and after the celebration.''

They were of the view that the feuding factions within the Anlo State as a result of the inability of the traditional council to resolve the chieftaincy crisis call for enstoolment of a substantive Awoamefia of Anlo before any future celebration could take place.