Togbi Kpemini Gawu V: Where Intellectualism Meets Anlo’s Traditional Leadership

When the news of the enstoolment of Togbi Kpemini Gawu V reechoed in many homes 12 years ago in an era that traditional leadership has become complex, many of us were excited. Because the complexity of our society needs high level of intellectualism to function well as a traditional leader.

Chieftaincy, which has to do with traditional system of local governance, cultural heritage, and community leadership rooted in ancient history and protected under Chapter 22 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and Chieftaincy Act of 2008 (Act 759) can never be divorced from intellectualism.

In the wisdom of his kingmakers and elders in consultation with the ancestors, Togbi Kpemini Gawu V’s title was bestowed on him after days of rigorous traditional rituals and rites. The title happened to be from two of his predecessors; Togbi Kpemini and Togbi Gawu. Togbi Kpemini was the founder of the Kpemini Stool and Togbi Gawu who later succeeded him also separately led in some wars for the Anlos.

They were both exceptional warriors and early settlers in Whuti, which is one of the 36 States of Anlo many years ago. Both written and oral literature vividly captured all their heroic acumen and achievements that will be explored later in this article.

Togbi Kpemini Gawu V, the current occupant of the Stool, typifies all the great qualities of a revered traditional leader with the academic intellects that made him built a reputation not only as a traditional leader but an accomplished intellectual that contributes to the human development and progress of his people.

Very affable and industrious man, Togbi’s contributions towards Education, Human development and progress over the past 12 years as a Chief in Anlo Dukor Council are remarkable. At the heart of his leadership believe, is the conviction that education and knowledge acquisition are the bedrocks for transforming Communities.

Togbi Kpemini Gawu V, born in Anloga more than seven decades ago is a scholar with deep interest in research. He had his PhD in Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon in 2005. His Master’s Degree in Development Studies from Saint Mary’s University, Canada in 1995 and his First Degree in Business Administration and Disaster Management from the Douhousie University, Halifax, Canada.

Togbi’s intellectual outlook is particularly paramount at the time when traditional leaders are expected to understand issues ranging from education, youth development, technology, industrialization, agriculture, among others. His ability to operate at the intersection of tradition and modernity is an incomparable one.

Togbi was a lecturer and Executive Director at the Centre for Disaster Research and Education (CEDRE) at the University for Development Studies. Over there, he published many academic research papers, articles and contributed to many more.

Prior to that, he worked with the Swiss Red cross as a consultant in the Communities of the Northern and Upper East Regions of Ghana. A duty he performed with distinction.

After his retirement as a lecturer, Togbi Kpemini Gawu V devoted most of his time to his traditional roles and duties and contributing to education and human development in the schools in the Anlo communities and beyond. He currently serves on many educational committees, including the District Educational Oversight Committee (DEOC).

Togbi is also the current Board Chairman of the great Anlo Senior High School, famously known as Anseco and the Star of Anlo Land.

Among his colleague Chiefs, Togbi serves on many committees. And is one of the few Chiefs that reside in Anloga and his people could call on at any time so long as is convenient for him. Most importantly when it comes to adjudicating over disputes at his Traditional Court and many other decision making at the Anlo Dukor Council.

TOGBI KPEMINI & TOGBI GAWU
As stated earlier in this article, in exploring the lives and achievements of Togbi Kpemini Gawu V’s predecessors, unadulterated history rightly taught us that in the era of Togbi Kpemini & Togbi Gawu, bravery at wars was the instrument to measure a true leader. And Togbi Kpemini & Togbi Gawu, the fearless and great personalities, apart from been warriors, were spiritualists, fishermen and farmers.

For the purpose of this article, we would like to focus on Togbi Kpemini. He was the first and founder of the great Kpemini Stool. He spent most of his life in Whuti and was one of the earlier settlers of the town. His primary occupations and quest for greatness made him to travel in and around other cities and villages of the present day Ghana.

According to literature and oral tradition available to us, his bravery and gallantry made him to be honoured with the Royal Kpemini Stool of Whuti.

Among the Anlos of Ghana, West Africa, all the Royal Stools apart from the Ancestral Stools, were founded by great warriors as a symbol of their bravery and gallantry at war (Ameevor, 1994). And their direct descendants like Togbi Kpemini Gawu V, inherited them till today. As the adage goes, “Ame Tɔgbi ƒe ƒu ɖuƒe ye woɖua ƒu ɖo”.

Togbi Kpemini was very powerful and took part in some of the fiercest and scariest early wars fought by the Anlos. The “Nonobey” war, “Talento” war, “Datsutagba” war and many others. This explains why the Royal Kpemini Gawu family of Whuti can boast of more than one War Stool.

It is without doubt that once you are a traditional leader among the Anlos, definitely you will have other gods or deities that are associated with either the land or the stool you occupy. That is why most stools’ houses have “Avanyevi” or “Egu”, “Ade”, among others accompanying the Stools.

A brief research has it that, the “Avanyevi” deity is an ancestral god, which some called “Egu”, comprising mostly with materials made with iron, and it normally comes with “Ade”. Prayers are made to “Avanyevi” with “softer drinks”, “Edzatsi”, etc. Whilst “deha”, “Aliha”, “Dzorkortorbi” and others are used for “Ade”.

Sometimes for some specific purposes, alcoholic drinks are used for “Ade”. And white cock is mostly sacrificed to both of them, though others also prefer other animals.

Some Stools like Togbi Kpemini’s also have Mama “Baxee”, which is a symbol of authority for Anlo Queen Mothers. “Baxee” mostly carries riches, gold, diamond, cowries and other protective items. One of which is a wooden doll that some called “Ametorlorpi”.

It is important at this stage to state that, Chieftaincy and Clans among the Anlos are inseparable. And Togbi Kpemini Gawu V is from the Royal Loafe Clan of Anlo (Mamattah, 1976) which is the first Clan among the 15 Clans of Anlo in the Volta region of Ghana.

Some of their taboos are; members of the clan do not eat the stripped four-footed animal called “Se”, the monitor lizard “Ve”, the small bird called “Tsi”. They also do not sit on a stool made from the skin of the forest animal called “Se”, among others (Mamattah, 1976).

The first Togbi Kpemini reigned for many years and after he joined his ancestors, the line of succession was drawn. And today we have one of his intellectuals, revered and illustrious descendants, Togbi Kpemini Gawu V, who is working tirelessly to make his reign remarkable and memorable for his generation and the generations unborn. And he deserves our unflinching supports.

Long live Togbi Kpemini Gawu V, Long live Whuti and Long live Anlo land.

By Charles Atsyatsya

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