The traditional leadership of Atsiame Dukor has firmly rebutted claims made by Togbui Dorglo Anumah VI, Paramount Chief and President of the Avenor Traditional Council, during an emergency meeting held at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly Hall on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
At a press conference organised at the chief’s palace of Dagbamete in response to Togbui Dorglo’s remarks, Torgbui Ablormetsi Kasu III, Dufia of Kpota-Koryi, speaking on behalf of Torgbuiga Samlafo IV and the Chiefs and people of Atsiame Traditional Area, described the statements by Togbui Dorglo as “lawless,” “dishonest,” and a distortion of the facts surrounding the elevation of Torgbuiga Samlafo IV to Paramountcy.
Elevation Process Backed by Due Process
According to the Atsiame leadership, Torgbuiga Samlafo IV’s elevation followed all constitutional and statutory processes.
He was nominated and endorsed as Asafohenega (Fiaga) and First War Captain by the Overlord of Anlo, Togbui Sri III, with the full backing of other chiefs, including Togbui Dorglo himself at the time.
Key documents, including a Chieftaincy Declaration (CD) form and an elevation letter were duly submitted to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs. Upon validation of the authenticity and completeness of these documents, the Regional House forwarded them to the National House of Chiefs, which then formed a three-member subcommittee to investigate and advise on the matter.
The press conference referenced:
CD Form Filing – January 6, 2016
Petition for Recognition – January 28, 2022
National House of Chiefs Meeting – June 19, 2024, where Atsiame’s elevation was discussed in Togbui Dorglo’s presence
Invitation to Torgbuiga Samlafo IV – Letter dated April 24, 2025
Doe Adjaho’s Role Politicised Unfairly
The Atsiame Traditional Authority categorically rejected Togbui Dorglo’s insinuation that the former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho manipulated the process. “From 2017 to 2024, Rt. Hon. Adjaho was in opposition. How could he influence chieftaincy proceedings under a government he did not belong to?” the statement asked.
The press conference emphasised that it was rather Togbui Dorglo who was playing politics by calling on former President John Mahama to interfere in a matter constitutionally reserved for traditional leadership.
Article 272 (a) and the Role of Chiefs
Quoting Article 272 (a) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the Atsiame leadership reminded Togbui Dorglo that chieftaincy issues are the sole preserve of traditional authorities and not politicians. They further highlighted that the National House of Chiefs, not any individual chief, has the mandate to recognise and elevate traditional leaders.
Historical and Cultural Ties
Addressing the contentious claim about Avenor’s independence from Anlo, the statement challenged Togbui Dorglo’s credibility. “Only the most dishonest person can claim that Avenor has not been part of Anlo,” it declared. It further pointed out that Togbui Dorglo himself filed his gazette forms through the Anlo Traditional Council and paid homage to the Awoamefia, a gesture acknowledging the Awoamefia’s authority.
The statement accused Togbui Dorglo of conveniently denying this reality now that the elevation of Torgbuiga Samlafo IV threatens his influence.
Challenging Togbui Dorglo’s Legitimacy
The press conference also questioned the very basis of Togbui Dorglo’s stool, posing several historical and genealogical questions:
Who was Dorglo Kohi in the 1911 Gold Coast Chiefs List?
Why did the name change to Dorglo Anumah in later records?
Why are the Kohi family members in court with him?
What wars did his predecessors fight?
What is the nature of his stool?
These, the Atsiame leadership claimed, expose a “stoolless” claim to chieftaincy on the part of Togbui Dorglo, and portray him as a usurper.
Addressing Legal Challenges and Petitions
The press conference revealed that all petitions raised by Togbui Dorglo and others, such as the Amegavieso Council of Elders, have been responded to in detail and found lacking by both the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and the National House.
“We have followed the due process from Anlo to Ho to Kumasi. At each level, Torgbuiga Samlafo IV has cleared every hurdle with credible documentation and responses,” the statement added.
Final Remarks: Caution Against Politicization
In closing, the chiefs of Atsiame condemned what they termed the “lawless” speech by Togbui Dorglo at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly Hall. They insisted that traditional disputes must be handled within the framework of the Constitution and Chieftaincy Act 2008 (Act 759), without political interference.
“Torgbui Dorglo must go to Kumasi and present his case—if he has any—not to deceive the good people of Avenor in Akatsi,” the statement concluded.
The event was addressed by Torgbui Ablormetsi Kasu III, on behalf of Torgbuiga Samlafo IV, the chiefs, and the people of Atsiame Traditional Area.
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