Agave Traditional Area Vents Anger On Volta and Sogakope Police Divisional Command

Agave Traditional Area Vents Anger On Volta and Sogakope Police Divisional Command Over Attempt To Legitimise Rival Paramount Chief

Agave Traditional Area of the Volta Region has described the actions of the Volta Regional and Sogakope Divisional Police Commands as “Baberic’ as it poses a threat to the peace and stability of Agave State.

The controversy centers around the sudden appearance of a claimant to the Agave paramountcy, who attempted to perform traditional rites within the sacred precincts of the Agave Stool despite the police injunction. Agave State has earlier sought approval from the court to stop the illegal installation and outdooring of a new paramount chief when the state already has one.

In a letter dated 2nd April 2025 to the Ghana Police, it was stated clearly that;

“We wish to inform you that, the said act, when allowed, would create a perpetual mayhem on Agave land and pose a huge security threat to the good people of Agave and the nation at large since the Agave Traditional

Area has a lawfully recognized bona fide Paramount Chief, who has also been sworn into office as the President of Agave Traditional Council on 9th
October, 2024 and subsequently inducted into the Volta Region House of Chiefs on 15th October, 2024 and that the people of Agave would not hesitate to rise against and prevent the organisers from perpetrating such illegality”.

“Therefore, the Agave Traditional Council and the Council of Elders of the Agave Traditional Area are humbly calling on your outfit as the Commander of Police in the District and the Acting Chairman of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) to swiftly intervene to prevent the intended event in order to prevent any imminent clashes and public disturbances”.

In a new turn of events, the state has readdressed the Police divisional command after allowing what was purported not to happen. In a press release to the media, Agave state has expressed their disappointment in the Police service.

Read the Press below:

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dabala, Ist May, 2025

AGAVE TRADITIONAL COUNCIL CONDEMNS ATTEMPTS TO LEGITIMIZE RIVAL
PARAMOUNT CHIEF AND QUESTIONS THE CONDUCT OF POLICE

The Agave Traditional Council expresses grave concern over recent developments aimed at undermining the chieftaincy institution in the Agave Traditional Area. This follows the unlawful conduct of a faction to install and outdoor a rival Paramount Chief, despite the existence of a duly designated and sworn-in Paramount Chief who has been officially inducted as President of the Agave Traditional Council and recognized as a member of the Volta Region House of Chiefs.

Over the past few weeks, this unauthorized group has initiated processes to undermine the legitimacy of the recognized Paramount Chief. Their activities, which have the potential to destabilize peace and unity in Agave, were reported to relevant authorities, including the Ghana Police Service. While the police initially indicated that they do not intervene in chieftaincy matters, they were later prompted by a formal petition from the Agave Traditional Council, leading to the procurement of a ten-day prohibition order by the Sogakope District Police Command to halt any attempt to outdoor the rival claimant.

It is deeply regrettable and alarming that after the expiration of the prohibition order, the said group went ahead with the outdooring ceremony in defiance of law and order. Even more concerning is the observed conduct of the Volta Regional Police Command, Tongu Divisional Command and the Sogakope District Police, who, despite earlier prohibitions, appear to have granted audience and legitimacy to this illegitimate claimant and his followers, which they will capitalize on to create more confusion in the Agave State.

The Agave Traditional Council strongly condemns this act, which not only undermines the authority of the legitimately installed Paramount Chief but also threatens the peace and stability of the Agave State. We call on the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the National House of Chiefs, and other relevant institutions to take urgent steps to restore order and uphold the sanctity of chieftaincy processes in the Volta Region.

The Agave Traditional Council remains committed to peace, unity, and respect for traditional authority and will continue to explore all lawful avenues to protect the dignity and sovereignty of the Agave Stool.

~END~

Issued by: Holy Kofi Ahiabu, Deputy Secretary to the Agave State
On behalf of the President of the Agave Traditional Council and the Council of Elders of Agave Traditional Area.
Contact: 0242687953

The Agave chieftaincy dispute, long dormant, resurfaced following internal wrangling among factions claiming legitimate succession rights. However, the current recognized leadership insists that there is no need for a new paramount chief when there is one.

The council has since petitioned the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, demanding an urgent investigation into the conduct of the regional and divisional police commands.