Volta Council debunks charges of partisanship

Kumasi, Nov. 12, GNA - The Voltarian Co-ordinating Council (VCC) has debunked the notion in some circles that the Council is partisan and inclined to the welfare of a few ethnic groups in the Volta Region. Mr Yaw Fianyo, an advisor to the VCC who made the remark said on the contrary, the VCC was a neutral organ and a platform designed to reconcile and unify all people of Volta descent resident in the Ashanti Region.

He was speaking at a press conference organized by the VCC in Kumasi on Friday to throw more light on activities of the Council and preparations made so far for the celebration of the 'Amu Za' festival of Voltarians resident in Ashanti.

Mr Fianyo, who is also the chairman of the planning committee, said the festival, which started November 8 last year and expected to end on December 11, this year, entailed a variety of activities including clean-up exercises, lectures, cultural shows and displays. The celebration would be climaxed with a durbar of prominent chiefs and people from the Volta Region and some parts of the country on December 10.

Mr Fianyo said the VCC established 10 years ago in the Ashanti Region now had branches in all the districts and plans were afoot to form a Central Co-ordinating Council from which the VCC would draw its powers.

Torgbui Mawufeame Fugah, President of the VCC, said it was erroneous to assert that the Ewes were the archrivals of Ashantis. He said the fact that there existed inter-marriages between the Ewes and Ashantis and the cordial hospitality accorded Ewes by Asanteman and same treatment for Ashantis in the Volta Region alone indicated that the two ethnic groupings were allies and not foes. Torgbui Fugah said the festival was to practically and genuinely demonstrated that the Ewes and Ashantis were allies and to show appreciation to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene for his fatherly care for them that the festival had been dedicated to him. He used the opportunity to appeal to all Voltarians not to shy away from the festival but endeavour to patronize it to ensure its success. 12 Nov. 05