The Asogoi State, acting on the orders of the Agbogbomefia, Togbe Afede XIV, has destooled the Dutor of Ho-Bankoe, Togbe Afiatsoa III, also identified as the Mankrado of Ho Bankoe, due to disrespect and misconduct. 

Chiefs and Elders of the traditional area gathered at the forecourt of the Asogli Traditional Council in Ho in the Volta Region to perform the necessary customary rites - including pouring of libation and slaughtering of a ram - to notify the gods of the decision. 

The ceremony performed on 17th April 2025 signifies that Togbe Afiatsoa III does not have a place among Asogli Chiefs anymore and ceases to use the stool name, hence identified as Frederick Yao Akordor. 

Speaking to the media, the Afetorfia of the Bake Clan of Ho Bankoe, Togbe Adu Bobi IV, explained that the action was necessitated by the arrogance of Mr Akordor, who, after his installation in June 2023, assumed that Togbe Afede must serve under him and consult him before embarking on any exercise.

“He [Mr Akordor] was the next in command in Ho Bankoe. If Togbe Afede is not there as the Afiatsoa or the Mankrado, he acts on Togbe’s behalf. But he assumed himself as the overlord with the analogy that because Makrado means Dutor in Ewe, he is assuming that the whole town [Bankoe] belongs to him. 

“So, he is assuming that the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, is under him, so that anything he does, Togbe should seek clearance from him before he goes out to perform his duties. This has never happened before,” he stressed. 

He clarified that per the customs and traditions of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede is served the waist of any animal slaughtered for customary rites conducted by the Chiefs and Elders, which signifies he is the Dutor, the superior traditional authority in the Asogli State. 

He further indicated that the destooled Chief also took to publishing “defamatory statements” in the media about Togbe Afede, attempting to distort the culture, heritage, and chieftaincy lineage of the Asogli State.  

He disclosed that the disgruntled Mr Akordor refused to heed advice from his elders and ignored several invitations to adjudicate the issues.

“So it has reached a point where Togbe said that enough is enough. We have invited him so many times to sit as father and child to talk over issues, but he thinks he has a case that he wants the world to hear. Instead of coming down to allow Togbe and his elders to settle this matter amicably in the room, he went out with his. 

“So, this morning Togbe has to perform his duty as the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, that he can no longer work with the former Afiatsoa, who is now called by his private name, Frederick Yao Akordor”, he concluded.