Volta chiefs: Let’s condemn & fight ‘Western Togolanders’

The President of the National House of Chiefs and Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, and the Awoamefia of Anlo State, Togbi Sri III, have both urged Ghanaians to fully support the government in fighting the activities of separatists group Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF).

The group last Friday violently captured Juapong, for a moment, claiming it was giving effect to the ‘independence’ of ‘Western Togoland’, a part of Ghana which includes the entire of Volta Region.

Togbe Afede XIV was Friday reported to have told journalists that the activities of HSGF, who members mounted road blockage and closures and also attempted causing distractions to state property, were unheard of.

“The Honourable Minister of National Security talked to me this morning (Friday) about it, and then I also made the efforts to contact some chiefs from the Volta Region about a response from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs,” he was quoted to have said.

Don’t condone

According to the chief, as was reported, “It requires the support of all of us to ensure that this does not escalate any further”, adding that the development must not be condoned in any way.

“This not something that any of us must condone; it is something that we should all support the government to ensure that it is nipped in the bud so we can continue to live in peace as a nation,” he added.

For his part, the Awoamefia of Anlo State, Togbi Sri III, in a press release, said his entire administration condemns the development in no uncertain terms.

“I wish to state categorically that the Anlo State, its chiefs and people does(sic) not associate nor approve of the actions of such people and firmly dissociate itself from their subversive actions. The Anlo State reaffirms its support for the unity and sanctity of the Sovereign state of Ghana,” he said.

Dire attacks foiled

Meanwhile, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says, contrary to claims that the government failed to gather actionable intelligence on the issue, intelligence was gathered by state agencies which enabled a prevention of more dire attacks by the HSGF on Friday.

According to him, members of the group have been on the watch list of the security agencies and were being monitored from time to time.

He said this when he addressed journalists at a press briefing in Accra yesterday.

“Government is taking steps to deal with threats of succession expressed by a group in the Volta region and, in particular, the events of Friday, September 25, 2020. Now, in recent months, the activities of this group has gained notoriety even as government has been responding with appropriate force and the rule of law. The events on Friday morning have been, as at now, contained by the security agencies. Efforts are also underway to contain our standing threats from this group,” he said.

The Minister condemned the act, and called on all traditional, religious and political institutions to join hands to combat the separatist activities, even as government initiates measures to bring the situation under full control.

“We continue to encourage all well-meaning Ghanaians, especially traditional, religious and political groups, to express solidarity with the Republic, and join in the efforts of holding the One Nation agenda while condemning these unfortunate developments.

“Now, while the security agencies maintain a presence to avert any further developments, it will also be important to in the coming days provide more education, for example, on the false basis for which the persons who are leading these exercises sought to mobilize support.

“Key actors who have been identified as ultimately responsible for these events are also on the watch list of the security agencies and actually wanted at this point in time. In the coming days, the security agencies would, I think, be publishing some of the photographs and identities of persons… Residents of these areas are encouraged to remain calm and to go about their daily lives without fear,” he added.