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According to the group, it is inappropriate for any Chief in the Volta region to attend the festival when his subjects are “battling with the real motives of the NPP [New Patriotic Party] to divide the Volta Region.”
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The Akwasidae festival held in the Ashanti region to honour the ancestors and king of the Ashanti Kingdom.
In a statement, the Anlo youth said they have no grudge against the Ashanti kingdom, but want the Awoamefia Torgbi Sri III to focus more on the referendum scheduled for December 27.
“The Anlo Youth Council, the umbrella body of the youth groups of Anlo wishes to express concern over the decision of the Awoamefia, Torgbi Sri III with a retinue of 150 family and friends to join the people of the Asanteman to wine and dine. At the time his subjects are battling to come to terms with the real motives and rationale of the NPP government’s insistence on dividing the Volta Region,” sections of the statement reads.
It added: “We also relish the opportunity of the Akwasidae, an extraordinary pomp and pageantry from this peaceful shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Regrettably, we cannot attend and urge of our Chiefs, including the Awoamefia, Torgbi Sri III and his family and friends not to attend.”
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Read the full statement below:
THE AWOMEFIA’S DECISION TO GO TO AKWASIDAE IS ILL-TIMED AND MUST BE RESCINDED
The Anlo Youth Council, the umbrella body of the youth groups of Anlo wishes to express concern over the decision of the Awoamefia, Torgbi Sri III with a retinue of 150 family and friends to join the people of the Asanteman to wine and dine. At the time his subjects are battling to come to terms with the real motives and rationale of the NPP government’s insistence on dividing the Volta Region.
We make haste to register the cordial relationship between the Anlo and Asanteman in times past and now. We further desire to put on record our respect and honor for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman.
We also relish the opportunity of the Akwasidae, an extraordinary pomp and pageantry from this peaceful shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Regrettably, we cannot attend and urge of our Chiefs, including the Awoamefia, Torgbi Sri III and his family and friends not to attend.
We derive our resolve from the following dicta in Anlo:
1. Avi me di na le agbleta, wo kↄa nu oo.
2. Dzo dze Anyako, Afiaɖenyigba tsi mavomavo
The Referendum to destroy the unity and peace of the Volta Region is slated for December 27, 2018 and that fateful date alone. Whatever the outcome, there will be many Akwasidae festivals to be celebrated in the future.
Our region, the Volta Region is earmarked for division by the government because of a certain minority group which Government is supporting to the hilt.
We do not see this development as mere coincidence but a well thought out plan with objectives not consistent with the sustainability of the Anlo in particular, the Ewe and the Volta Region as a whole.
The Anlo Youth Council’s position in this matter has been published heresince March 11, 2017.
The Congress of Chiefs of Anlo also unanimously declared their opposition to the division of the Volta Region at their last congress in Ave in October 2018, their last congress in Ave in October 2018. Read it here.
The Chiefs and AYC have since pledged our preparedness to assist our kith and kin in the northern Volta in readiness before, during and after the December 27 Referendum. We cannot be doing or be led to do anything else, particularly, participating in the pomp and pageantry of Asanteman. Because, we are instructed by the dictum;
3. Ne ƒoɖiɖi sↄa, ye nukoko ha sↄ na
What is going on social media is appalling, because the Awoamefia is bent on honoring the invitation from Manhyia at this crucial time against the sound advice in Awoame. Per Torgbi Sri I, Anlo belongs to the Youth, therefore felt compelled to add our voice and urge our Chiefs to pay heed to following conclusive dicta;
4. Ne dze Fiato, wo adze Gato
5. Du me nↄa Fia me oo, Fiae nↄa du me.
In Anlo, there are consequences for the disobedience of Chiefs.