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29.07.2009 Regional News

ADR used to settle 89 year old chieftaincy dispute・between Kpetoe, Afegame

29.07.2009 LISTEN
By Samuel Agbewode, Ho - Ghanaian Chronicle

The alternative dispute resolution (ADR mechanism has achieved another success, as the Paramount Chief of the Agortime Traditional Area, Nuer Keteku III, settled an 89 year old chieftaincy dispute between the people of Kpetoe and Afegame last Saturday.

The dispute came as a result of a misunderstanding between the two main gates of Agortime, namely the Akumase at Kpetoe and the Bedzekpenu at Afegame, leading to the situation where the Akumase gate was always producing the Paramount Chief, a development which created hatred between the two communities over the years.

The conflict made it impossible for the people of Afegame to participate in development activities at Kpetoe, the current traditional capital of Agortime, which was moved from Afegame, and was a major worry to the youth and elders of both communities, and the entire traditional area.

Three persons, constituting the youth from Kpetoe, Mr. Innocent Agbovi, Mr. Gabriel Katamani and Mr. Anthony Agbovi, initiated the move for the Paramount Chief of Agortime, Nene Nuer Keteku, to resolve the age-long dispute between the two communities some months back, which became successful last Saturday.

The humility characterised by the Agortime Paramount Chief was to travel from Kpetoe to the Palace of his sub-chief at Afegame, Nene Mahumansro, who passed away some years back, and was welcomed by Regent Mahumansro, where he continued with the arbitration to the admiration of all, who also commended Nene Nuer Keteku and Regent Mahumansro for their efforts to make peace between the two communities.

The Paramount Chief of Agortime, in his efforts to finally bring the arbitration to an end, made it clear to the parties involved that most of them were engaged in a dispute that they knew very little about, because what brought the conflict between the two Agortime communities took place many years before some of them were born.

Nene Nuer Keteku said during the arbitration that he was not going to determine who was at fault, but narrated what resulted in the protracted dispute, and after a brief history of events leading to the dispute between the too communities, the Paramount Chief finally blamed the two communities for wrongful misinterpretation of events of the past, which was necessitated by their elders, most of died many years back.

He said as the leader of the traditional area, he would stand in for both communities in the interest of peace and development, and gave out two rams, a goat, and six bottles of schnapps for prayers to pacify the gods of Agortime, and assured the people that henceforth the Bedzekpe gates would enjoy the Paramount Seat as it would be rotated.

The Regent of Afegame, Regent Mahumansro XIII, commended the Paramount Chief for his wise arbitration, saying the historical background Nene Nuer Keteku gave, clearly showed that both communities did not understand the issues which led to litigations at the courts over the years.

The Regent assured the Paramount Chief that due to the successful settlement of the conflict, which had retarded the development in the area, the people of Afegame would celebrate this year's 'Agbamevorza' with the traditional area at Kpetoe to signify unity and love.

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