By Ewoenam Kpodo
Ave-Dakpa (VR), Oct 09, GNA- Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe V, President of the newly inaugurated Ave-Dakpa Traditional Council in the Akatsi North District is hopeful the inauguration will usher in a new era of development and progress.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the inauguration Tuesday, he declared that this marked the beginning of a transformative period for the traditional area saying, the council meant a lot to the chiefs and people.
“We can now assert our autonomy. As a council, we can resolve disputes among ourselves thereby promoting peace and fostering community cohesion, vital for our development. We can also as a unified force, make decisions and lobby government for projects to benefit our people.
Inaugurating Ave Traditional Council today is a new dawn for Ave Dakpa. We are committed to fostering unity, promoting cultural heritage, and driving development.”
Torgbui Glakpe in a speech read on his behalf earlier at the ceremony disclosed that the journey to attain the traditional council started in 1956 during the era of Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe II who ruled from 1914 to 1974.
He thanked the President saying, it was under his government that the dream got renewed hope of being actualised (with Ave being granted six traditional status) and had finally come to pass noting, there was first the breakthrough with the formation of Ave Council of Chiefs in March 2004, which continued the struggle for the traditional council.
Torgbui also recognised the various roles played by Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, Dr Prince Sodoke Amuzu, immediate past District Chief Executive for Akatsi North, Mr Peter Nortsu Kotoe, Member of Parliament for Akatsi North and Mr Kofi Dzamesi, then Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in attaining the traditional council.
He felt privileged that Ave-Dakpa under his stewardship witnessed “the creation, construction and or inauguration of a constituency, district assembly offices, court complex, ambulance service, health directorate, education office, district hospital, district market and so on, in fulfilment of the aspirations of our ancestors of many centuries.”
“To their honour, I dedicate this feat! May they celebrate wherever they are now, the achievements of their successors in our time.
May I use this opportunity to plead with Honourable Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and for that matter the government, to provide personnel as early as possible, to man the Traditional Council to enhance decentralisation and local participation in decision-making. With this, I also call for the support of all; unity and peace are what I stand for,” Torgbui called.
The colourful inauguration ceremony, attended by traditional leaders, government officials, and community members, signified the formal establishment of the Traditional Council.
Some residents expressed optimism about the traditional council’s potential impact to GNA.
“This is a great day for Ave-Dakpa. We expect positive change and progress,” Madam Elizabeth Sodoke, an excited resident said.
Torgbui Adogo Agbalekpor IV, President of Ave-Xevi Traditional Council congratulated his colleague for the feat and wished him and his traditional area well.
GNA