Adidome installs 2 rival chiefs in 5 days

Chieftaincy rivals at Mafi Adidome in the Volta Region have left the town on a knife’s edge following the installation of two chiefs in the town within a space of five days, with both of them bearing an identical stool name.

The enstoolment of Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V from the Royal Norgbedzi Family on August 17, 2020, as Dufia of Adidome followed the demise of Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman IV.

But last Saturday, the town witnessed the enstoolment of a second chief from the Fiagbenu Family under the name Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman (Kakaklolo) V.

The second installation process went ahead despite a petition from the rival camp to the local government authorities, appealing that it be prevented from happening.

Petition

The petition, signed by the Principal Stool Father and Head of Royal Norgbedzi Family of Toh/Tovie Clan of Mafi, Mr Foster Norgbedzi, to the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, said the family intended to install a new chief following the passing of Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman IV, Dufia of Adidome.

It said a letter to this effect dated August 1, 2021, and signed by the Manklalo of Mafi Traditional Area, Togbe Brentua Asafo IV, had informed the minister of chieftaincy and religious affairs about the situation with copies to the volta regional minister and the DCE.

It said the Fiagbenu Family unit were not descendants of Amebo, the creator of the Toh Tribal stool, and, therefore, did not have the right to install a chief in Adidome without the consent of the clan leaders.

"They should be stopped immediately to avoid any confusion and chaos at Adidome," it added.

The second enstoolment, however, went ahead as planned as the Central Tongu District Security Council instructed the petitioners to direct their grievances to “the appropriate quarters” for redress.

The letter signed by the District Coordinating Director, Mr Akuffo K. Reuben, further indicated that security would be provided for the installation of the second chief just as was done for the first.

Second enstoolment

Characterised by a heavy security presence, the rival chief was enstooled amid pomp and circumstance.

At his coronation, the second chief described the enstoolment of the first chief as "lacking legitimacy".

"Firstly, let us remember that the self-appointed kingmakers involved in last Tuesday's so-called installation are not part of the Toh/Tovie Clan, and they are not part of our kingmakers. Therefore, traditionally, they had no legitimacy to be involved in any process to decide who is selected as a chief over the Toh/Tovie Clan," he said.

He said the late Chief, Togbe Agyeman IV, was enstooled in 1974 by people who constituted a recognised structure, the same which had successfully de-stooled him in 1980, although, he alleged, he continued to hold himself as chief until the reaffirmation of his de-stoolment in 2020.