Nasty, shameful scenes at inauguration of Botoku Traditional Council

What started initially as a joyous procession of chiefs and queens amid some officials of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs from Accra, to the venue for the inauguration of the Bokotu Traditional Council at Bokotu in the North Dayi District of the Volta Region, turned horrible, nasty and appalling.

On arrival at the venue, a rehabilitated ICT centre, members of the procession realised to their utter dismay the place had been strewed with excreta.

Apart from the floor, the walls and ceiling of the hall were covered in the stuff.

Finally the ceremony was moved to a private property in the town.

“This is the work of some aggrieved people in the town,” said the Paramount Chief of Botoku, Togbega Sei II.

Togbega Sei II, who is also the President of Botoku Traditional Council, said what he found more shocking was how the police looked on unconcerned when the group opposed to the inauguration carried out the sordid acts, including breaking the plastic chairs arranged for the event.

The officials from the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Registrar of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Harry Attipoe described the scene as disgusting and unhealthy. 

President of Volta Regional House of Chiefs reaction

The President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs (VRHC), Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, in response to the happenings in Botoku, said the traditional councils were not the personal properties of any group or individual.

Therefore, no one could kick against their lawful inauguration, he said at a meeting of the house in Ho on Tuesday (October 15).

Togbe Tepre Hodo described the incident as an act of backwardness and the lack of civilisation on the part of those who carried it out.

“We are in the 21st Century and we do not expect to see such acts anywhere in our country,” he maintained.

The President of VRHC made it clear that Togbe Sei was the gazetted Paramount Chief of Botoku, and President of the Bokotu Traditional Council.

“Until a court of competent jurisdiction says otherwise, Togbe Sei II will remain the Paramount Chief of Botoku,” Togbe Tepre Hodo added.

He said those standing against Togbe Sei’s legitimate status as Paramount Chief of Botoku were acting waywardly, with no sense of direction.

Meanwhile, the VRHC on Monday honoured Togbe Sei II for his outstanding performance as a member of the arbitration committee of the house.

A citation presented to him in the presence of other members of the house read: In recognition of your dedication and adjudication of chieftaincy disputes at the Volta Region House of Chiefs, the house presents this wards to you.