The Anlo Youth Council has expressed displeasure at some chiefs in the Volta Region said to be attending the Akwasidae festival held in the Ashanti Region to honour the ancestors and king of the Ashanti Kindom.

In a press release signed by the president of the Anlo Youth Council, the group stated that the decision by the Awoamefia, Torgbi Sri III, to attend the festival is untimely because he is attending the festival at a time his subjects are “battling with the real motives of the NPP [New Patriotic Party] to dividing the Volta Region.

They explain that the Anlo has no grudge against the Ashanti kingdom, however, they believe there are more Akwasidaes to come and advised Awoamefia Torgbi Sri III to focus more on the referendum scheduled for December 27.

“Our region, the Volta Region is earmarked for division by the government because of a certain minority group which Government is supporting to the hilt. We do not see this development as mere coincidence but a well thought out plan with objectives not consistent with the sustainability of the Anlo in particular, the Ewe and the Volta Region as a whole,” they stated.

The Anlo Youth Council said they are prepared to assist their people in the northern Volta in readiness before, during and after the December 27 Referendum.

Read full release below.

THE AWOMEFIA’S DECISION TO GO TO AKWASIDAE IS ILL-TIMED AND MUST BE RESCINDED

The Anlo Youth Council, the umbrella body of the youth groups of Anlo wishes to express concern over the decision of the Awoamefia, Torgbi Sri III with a retinue of 150 family and friends to join the people of the Asanteman to wine and dine. At the time his subjects are battling to come to terms with the real motives and rationale of the NPP government’s insistence on dividing the Volta Region.

We make haste to register the cordial relationship between the Anlo and Asanteman in times past and now. We further desire to put on record our respect and honor for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman.

We also relish the opportunity of the Akwasidae, an extraordinary pomp and pageantry from this peaceful shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Regrettably, we cannot attend and urge of our Chiefs, including the Awoamefia, Torgbi Sri III and his family and friends not to attend.

We derive our resolve from the following dicta in Anlo:

1. Avi me di na le agbleta, wo kↄa nu oo.

2. Dzo dze Anyako, AfiaÉ–enyigba tsi mavomavo

The Referendum to destroy the unity and peace of the Volta Region is slated for December 27, 2018 and that fateful date alone. Whatever the outcome, there will be many Akwasidae festivals to be celebrated in the future.

Our region, the Volta Region is earmarked for division by the government because of a certain minority group which Government is supporting to the hilt.

We do not see this development as mere coincidence but a well thought out plan with objectives not consistent with the sustainability of the Anlo in particular, the Ewe and the Volta Region as a whole.

The Anlo Youth Council’s position in this matter has been published here since March 11, 2017.

The Congress of Chiefs of Anlo also unanimously declared their opposition to the division of the Volta Region at their last congress in Ave in October 2018, their last congress in Ave in October 2018. Read it here.

The Chiefs and AYC have since pledged our preparedness to assist our kith and kin in the northern Volta in readiness before, during and after the December 27 Referendum. We cannot be doing or be led to do anything else, particularly, participating in the pomp and pageantry of Asanteman. Because, we are instructed by the dictum;

3. Ne ƒoÉ–iÉ–i sↄa, ye nukoko ha sↄ na

What is going on social media is appalling, because the Awoamefia is bent on honoring the invitation from Manhyia at this crucial time against the sound advice in Awoame. Per Torgbi Sri I, Anlo belongs to the Youth, therefore felt compelled to add our voice and urge our Chiefs to pay heed to following conclusive dicta;

4. Ne dze Fiato, wo adze Gato

5. Du me nↄa Fia me oo, Fiae nↄa du me.

In Anlo, there are consequences for the disobedience of Chiefs.