The Grand Durbar, which sees people from all walks of life converging on Kpetoe to celebrate the beautiful Ghanaian cloth, and promote the area’s culture, was called off at the eleventh hour for reasons organizers gave as the failure of the Paramount Chief, Nene Nuer Keteku III, to resolve an outstanding chieftaincy dispute.

In a press statement issued by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Eddie Akotey, he said the decision was taken due to the security threats that the chieftaincy issue poses to the event.

“The planning committee of the Agotime Kente Festival are deeply saddened to announce that, the Grand Durbar scheduled to take place on the 21^st October 2017, will no longer be taking place this year. This is due to issues of security emanating from chieftaincy disputes” the statement stated.   

 The coronation of Togbui Agbovi was met with stiff opposition with most kingmakers questioning his authority as the true heir to the throne.   Amidst heavy security presence, his coronation was held earlier this year despite public outcry.

Majority of the Chiefs who were against his enstoolment accused the Paramountcy of supporting the new Chief.

The sub-chiefs subsequently threatened to boycott this year’s grand durbar as long as he reigned in the area.

Citi News gathered that, the Planning Committee, gave the Paramount Chief an ultimatum to resolve the issues or risk calling off the celebration in order to manage the peace in the area.

Although this year’s hindrances came as a big blow to citizens and patrons from far and near, the committee has assured the public of a better program next year.

“We are terribly sorry for any inconvenience and disappointment this might cause. Looking to the future, we hope the issues are resolved for the festival to take place next year and hopefully avoid having to cancel any more.”

Agortime- Ziope District is located along the Eastern borders of the country.

The Traditional Council extends to the republic of Togo with the Paramount Chief presiding over 37 states.

Residents are known for their rich kente culture and their cross border trades.

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/ghana

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The deceased were crossing the river which had over flown its banks when it swept them away.

The adults among the dead were identified as Yaw Marfo, Kwabena Nyarko , Afia Adubea, Akosua Ataa and Kwesi Bamfo , the school boy.

They have all been buried.

Since there is no bridge across the river, pupils in the village and surrounding communities are unable to go to school because the schools are situated at the other side of the river and farmers are also not able to go to their farms.

Nearby communities are off from Abodom, the biggest community in the area and food crops such as cassava, plantain and palm fruits meant for homes and markets are rotting on the farms.

Currently, the community has placed  plywood on rocks in the River to enable them cross to fetch food from their farms but that is not safe  since any person who loses balance while walking on the plywood could  fall into the River and get drowned.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency(GNA), Nana Kwadwo Pinamang, the Krontihene of Abodom, said the challenge had existed for almost two decades now and every effort to get the District Assembly to help had proved futile.

He grieved that the only canoe which used to convey pupils in the community to school and back broke into pieces some time ago.

According to the Assemblyman for the area, Mr Martin Owusu Asamoah, the situation had been worrying to his people and that he had raised the issue for discussion at assembly meetings “but it yielded no result.”

He appealed to the Birim North District Assembly to come to their aid by constructing at least a footbridge to enable the farmers and school children to go about their activities safely, adding that, “if not, famine will not be far from us.”

Afia Adjorlolo, a 32-year-old woman,said women could not cross the river but had to be assisted by the men available at the river bank.

“It is scary and we have to hire the services of men who can swim to carry our produce to cross the river for us.”

She appealed for urgent intervention by way of constructing a footbridge over the river.

Source: GNA

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