Tension Brews at Botoku Over the Installation of New Paramount Chief

Tension is mounting at Botoku Traditional area in the North Dayi district in the Volta Region over a decision to install a new paramount chief.

The new chief who is said to be under confinement and expected to be enstooled under the stool name Togbe Sei II this weekend is said not to be known to the traditional area as the successor of the chief who died almost 20 years ago.

At a press conference in Ho by the Mankrado and acting President of Botoku traditional area, Togbe Atakora VI, described the installation of the new chief as an illegality and appealed to the public and invited guests to stay away from the occasion.

He said any attempt to install a new chief would undermine the authority of the Bokotu traditional council.

No capacity

‘There is a total state of confusion in Bokotu and we cannot guarantee the safety of the members of the public if they honour the invitation of the Kledzasi clan to the coronation of the purported chief’.

He explained that as the Mankrado or custodian of the land, he received a letter dated April 6 from one Mr Victor H.K. Mensah who claimed to be acting stool secretary inviting him to come and perform the needed traditional rites for the implementation of the programme.

In response to the letter, Togbe Atakora said he made it clear that the said king makers mentioned in the letter were not the lawful kingmakers of Botoku and therefore had no capacity to install a new chief for the people.

Bokotu stool name is Tamtia

Togbe Atakora stated that there was no stool in Bokotu with called Togbe Sei and that the paramount stool in Bokotu was called Tamtia.

‘The last paramount chief who died almost 20 years ago was Togbe Tamtia VI and the royal clan of the Bokotu paramount stool is called Kpale’, he disclosed.

The Kpale clan he said has been the owners of the paramount stool for over 300 years without challenge from any other clan of Bokotu.

The Mankrado however said certain issues that came up after the death of Togbe Tamtia VI was pending before the Traditional council for a peaceful way of solving the matter but Kledzasi clan had decided to install a paramount chief regardless those issues.

Source: Graphic Online