By Ewoenam Kpodo
Agbozume (VR), Oct 02, GNA– Torgbiga Adama III, Paramount Chief of Somé Traditional Area, one of the three traditional areas in the Ketu South Municipality has appealed to the government to consider splitting the municipality.
The other two traditional areas in the vast and populous municipality are Klikor Traditional Area with Togbi Addo VIII as the Paramount Chief and Aflao Traditional Area with Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V as its Paramount Chief.
Torgbiga Adama Saturday made the appeal for the division of the municipality during a durbar of chiefs and people of Somé at Agbozume, the traditional capital to climax their socio-cultural and development festival, Sométutuza.
He noted that the call for the split had been pending for some years and urged government representatives present including from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MCRA) to take the issue up on a ticket of urgency.
Torgbiga Adama said: “I am appealing to the Electoral Commission (EC) and government on the need to divide the Ketu South Constituency. Indeed, this issue has been pending since the time of Dr Afari Gyan, the former EC Chairman.”
The Paramount Chief highlighted some achievements in the traditional area especially in the education sector where some public-spirited individuals championed the provision of facilities in some schools to enhance teaching and learning.
He expected that more of such benefactors would show up to bring projects to cater for other aspects of life like health, sports and employment.
Torgbiga Adama also touted the prevailing peace and unity in Somé and thanked his chiefs and people for their untiring efforts towards the reconciliation, peace and unity process, urging the citizenry not to relent on their efforts to bring lasting peace and unity to the land.
He touched on other issues of importance to his area including lack of water at Agbozume for over a year, drug abuse, and bad internal road networks in Agbozume, indicating steps the traditional area intended to take and further asking for support to address them.
On national issues, Torgbiga Adama said it was time to amend the 1992 Constitution to allow traditional councils in the country to lead local governance as he believed the country’s democracy and local government structures had not effectively facilitated the level of development being sought at the district level.
“I urge the EC to ensure fairness in the 2024 general elections and to engage with all political parties respectfully. Political parties must also refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and prioritise peace dialogue,” he added.
Madam Halima S. Yakubu, Chief Director of the MCRA who represented the Sector Minister described the theme for the 2024 celebration, “Sustaining the Peace and Unity of Somé for Development” as apt, highlighting the significance of peace in the development of any traditional area.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) through his representative, Prof Joshua Alabi assured of continuous support to Somé when in power and asked for support for the victory of the NDC to rescue Ghana from the maladministration of the current leadership and reset her on the path of prosperity.
Saturday’s durbar, chaired by Torgbui Fiti, showcased the rich traditions of Somé.
In in attendance at the festival were traditional leaders from Aflao and Avenor; dignitaries including Prof Hugh Keku Aryee, the Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana.
GNA