TORGBUI DAGADU LAID TO REST (PAGE 3)

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho

The late paramount chief of the Akpini Traditional Area and a former Member of the Council of State, Okpekpewuokpe Togbui
Dagadu VII, has been laid to rest after 11 days of mourning at Kpando in the Volta Region.
 Togbui Dagadu died at the age of 68 after ruling from 1992 to 2006 during which he was elected president of the Volta Region House of Chiefs for two terms in 1995 and 1998.
 A government delegation, led by the Minister for Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr S.K. Boafo, and accompanied by the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi; his deputy, Mr Joseph Nayan; and a Member of Council of State, Togbe Kpangbatriku, paid their last respects and made donations to the bereaved state.
 Also present were the Member of Parliament for North-Dayi, Ms Akua Dansua; the Kpando District Chief Executive, Mr Pius Adanuty; the Jasikan District Chief Executive, Mr Solomon Donkor; and the Ketu District Chief Executive, Mr Justice Cudjoe.
 Delivering a sermon at the burial service, the Catholic Bishop of Ho Diocese, Most Reverend Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu, said the Akpini state was full of sorrow because a big tree had fallen and that the departure of the late paramount chief was a signal for a new epoch that would unfold in the area but should unfold without much pain and struggle.
 He deplored the suffering in the chieftaincy institution, adding that the late chief had suffered a lot but made a lot of sacrifices, despite those obstacles.
 Bishop Lodonu extended gratitude to all those who had contributed to the fitting funeral for the late chief and prayed that his successor would not face the sufferings of the late chief.
He appealed to all those who were fighting over stools and land in the country to stop and give peace a chance, adding that the death of the chief should serve as an opportunity for reconciliation in the Akpini state.