<<Print>>

Last Week Tuesday, the Volta Regional Minister, Joseph Amenowode, came under immense castigation by Togbega Gabusu, the paramount chief of the Gbi Traditional Area in Hohoe of the Volta Region. According to a Daily Guide source, Togbega Gabusu refused to shake hands with Mr Amenowode who had accompanied the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Samuel Ofosu Ampofu to pay a courtesy call on and present the newly-appointed Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Margaret Kwaku, to the chief. Togbega was reported to have noted that had it not been for the respect he had for President Atta Mills and Mr Ofosu Ampofo, he would not have welcomed Joseph Amenowode into his palace, let alone shake hands and sit with him for any discussions. The source noted that the chief explained that the reason for his resolve was because he had a bone to pick with the minister and two other people in the region. He however refused to mention the names of the two and rather asked Mr Ofosu Ampofo to investigate and find out himself. Togbega alleged that the regional minster and the two other people had made covert plans to disrespect him by making certain comments which seemed to have denigrated him and his stool and sovereignty as paramount chief of the Gbi people. He said, �I have not installed myself and whatever anyone says or does against me, it affects my people as well.� The Gbi paramount chief was reported to have made reference to certain utterances by the regional minister which seemed to suggest that anyone who could not see the developments that were going on in the region might be living on the moon. As a result, Togbega Gabusu said, �I am still on the moon� and so had not returned to exchange handshakes. It would be recalled that Togbega Gabusu had raised some concerns and criticized the government over the state of development in the region. He raised issues about road infrastructure, water and education, the Eastern corridor road and the University for Health and Allied Sciences in particular. His utterances, which emphasised the concerns raised by the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and some youth in the region, received a lot of commendation from Voltarians. However, his concerns were challenged by some chiefs in the Hohoe municipality in a press conference which many had alleged was politically motivated. It was also alleged by sources close to NDC that the press conference was organised by the regional minster and the two allies Togbega gave hints about. The sources also mentioned Alfred Woyome as one of the two allies of the minster. The chief, who confirmed to Daily Guide that he refused to shake hands with the regional minister, noted that at the right time, he would give detailed reasons for his action. At the palace, the Local Government Minister, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, accepted the challenge of making the necessary investigations and reporting to Togbega Gabusu. He also asked Togbega to reconsider his resolve and see the issue as a minor misunderstanding between a father and a son. The regional minister, who was not happy about the turn of events at the palace, wanted to react but was prevailed upon by Mr Ofosu Ampofo to hold his peace. All attempts made by DAILY GUIDE to get the regional minister to get his side of the story proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off for most part of yesterday.