Halt creation of Oti Region – Clergy

A.B.
Kafui Kanyi/ Ebenezer Sowah, GNA

Ho, Oct. 03, GNA – Mediators Consult, a group
of “seasoned men of God” in the Volta Region has asked government to halt the
creation of the proposed Oti Region out of the Volta Region.

Right Reverend Japheth Yao Ledo, President of
the group at a press conference in Ho on Wednesday, said the suspension of the
creation of Oti Region had become necessary because the group foresaw fierce
resistance which may cause “instability, disunity…and loss of lives.”

He said though the group appreciated the
desire of government to fulfil her campaign promises, it was necessary it
heeded the call to halt the creation of the Region to forestall “instability,
disunity and wars.”

Rt. Rev. Ledo who is also a former Moderator
of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church said, there could be protracted
conflicts in Volta Region with loss of lives should boundaries drawn to carve
out Oti Region pass through already disputed lands like Nkonya and Alavanyo.

He said some communities including Akpafu and
Lolobi also rejected their inclusion in the proposed Oti Region and that
subjugating them into being part of Oti Region would amount to suppressing
their freedom of choice of habitation.

The group disagreed with limiting the
referendum to people in the proposed Oti Region and urged government to heed to
calls to extend the exercise to cover the whole Volta Region.

“…the Ewes form 73.8 per cent of Volta
Region and for that matter, to limit voting to 26.2 minority to create Oti
Region out of Volta Region is highly unacceptable,” Rt. Rev. Ledo stated,
adding, “Despising the will of the majority of Voltarians this time around
would be like sounding war drums in their ears.”

GNA