Support bereaved traditional areas, not families - Vakpo Paramount Chief to House of Chiefs

The Paramount Chief of Vakpo in the North Dayi District of the Volta Region, Togbega Gbogbolulu IV, has described the practice where a few chiefs are delegated with “paltry sums of money”, by the Volta Region House of Chiefs (VRHC), to attend funerals of members of the house as highly demeaning.

He further said that the custom lacked dignity, asking that it should be stopped and replaced with an arrangement to donate “respectable amounts of money” to the entire bereaved traditional areas.

That, Togbega Gbogbolulu said, would make it possible for the bereaved traditional areas to host as many chiefs as possible at the funerals.

He made the remarks in an interview at Vakpo last Saturday after he was elected by members of the VRHC in Ho as one of the three representatives of the Volta Region to the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi.

Togbega Gbogbolulu pledged to personally support members of the house attending quarterly meetings with a decent amount to meet transport costs.

He also assured that he would spearhead a crusade of appeals to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate bodies in the various traditional areas to raise funds to support the activities of the house.

The Paramount Chief of Vakpo said he would also work around the clock to help establish viable commercial ventures, such as water bagging and bottling factories and commercial farms, in the region to provide jobs for the youth.

Togbega Gbogbolulu said the region had the biggest house of chiefs, with more than 70 members, and it was, therefore, important for the members to work with a united front to showcase the beauty of chieftaincy in the region.

“Our actions should be motivational so that when there is a vacancy for the enstoolment of a chief, qualified citizens will freely avail themselves for the position.

“Let us work to expand the dignity that our position confers on us,” he added.

The other members of the house elected to represent the region at the National House of Chiefs are the Paramount Chief of Abutia, Togbe Abutia Kodzo Gidi V, and the Paramount Chief of Gbi, Togbega Gabusu VII.

Before their election last Tuesday, the Paramount Chief of Anfoega, Togbe Tepre Hodo V, was retained as the President of the VRHC unanimously by the house while the incumbent Vice-President and Paramount Chief of Battor, Togbe Patamia Dzekle VII, was also re-elected.