The Tsito Awudome Stool has issued a press release to address remarks made by Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi in the Volta region, during the ministerial vetting in Parliament on 21st January 2025.

The comments, which touched on the administrative boundaries and land ownership of Dededo, have been described as inaccurate and a potential source of misunderstanding. The Tsito Awudome Stool seeks to clarify these issues and ensure that peace and unity are maintained in the area.

Background

Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor, while vetting the Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, claimed that Dededo, a community situated in the Volta Region, was previously part of his South Dayi Constituency and that its land belonged to the Peki people. These assertions were met with a firm rebuttal from the Tsito Awudome Stool, which categorically denied the claims and provided historical evidence to substantiate their stance.

According to the press release issued by Togbe Gobo Dake XII of the Gobo Dake Palace, Dededo has always been a part of Tsito and will continue to remain so. The stool further recounted historical attempts by the Peki people to claim Dededo through violent means and legal battles, all of which have, to date, failed to alter the ownership and administrative status of the land.

Historical Context

The Tsito Awudome Stool detailed a history of conflicts between the Tsito and Peki communities over Dededo, dating back to 1919 during the "Adewuvi War" (also known as the Little Mud Fish War), in which the Pekis were defeated. Another violent confrontation occurred in 1979, widely referred to as the Tsito/Peki War, which also ended without the Pekis securing ownership of Dededo.

In addition to physical confrontations, the Pekis pursued legal action in 1952 through the Peki Native Court over Dededo and surrounding areas. The case has since traversed Ghana's judiciary system, involving the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, and remains pending in the Accra High Court. Despite these protracted legal proceedings, the Tsito Stool asserts that the Pekis have made no legal gains regarding Dededo's ownership.

Current Administrative and Legal Status

The Tsito Stool clarified that Dededo is firmly under the jurisdiction of the Ho West District Assembly and falls within the Ho West Constituency, not South Dayi. It emphasized that no changes to this status would be accepted and warned against any attempts to reassign Dededo administratively.

The stool also reminded the public and government officials that the matter of Dededo's land ownership remains sub judice, urging all parties to respect the ongoing legal process. Public commentary on the matter, it stated, should be measured and factual to avoid reigniting historical tensions or fostering divisions.

Concerns Raised by the Tsito Awudome Stool

The Tsito Stool expressed grave concern over Hon. Dafeamekpor's remarks, describing them as a dangerous distortion of facts with the potential to destabilize the relative peace and stability in the area. It criticized the MP for making such comments without a thorough understanding of the complex history and ongoing legal implications surrounding Dededo.

The stool further admonished public officials to prioritize accuracy and responsibility, particularly when discussing sensitive matters of public interest. It warned against provocative and inflammatory statements, which in the past have escalated into violent conflicts, resulting in loss of lives and property.

Commitment to Peace and Dialogue

Reiterating its commitment to peace, the Tsito Awudome Stool emphasized its preference for lawful and amicable resolution of disputes. It assured the public of its willingness to engage in dialogue while standing firm against any attempts to alter the status of Dededo unlawfully.

The stool concluded its statement by calling on Hon. Dafeamekpor to desist from making further claims about Dededo, urging him to focus on fostering unity and harmony rather than stoking division.

Appeal to Government and Stakeholders

The Tsito Stool appealed to the Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, not to entertain any calls for the reclassification of Dededo under South Dayi District or Constituency. It maintained that Dededo's status as part of Ho West is unequivocal and must remain unchanged.

Call for Responsible Reporting

In its release, the Tsito Stool also called on the media and other stakeholders to prioritize factual reporting to avoid exacerbating tensions. It encouraged journalists and researchers to seek clarification on issues concerning Dededo's land ownership to promote informed public discourse.