A traditional ruler, Torgbi Avorkliya V, the Divisional Chief of Dzodze-Kuli in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, has commended the Duamenefa Foundation for its timely investigation and intervention in addressing community concerns.
The Chief praised the Foundation for its responsiveness and dedication to supporting affected individuals, stating that its interventions continue to draw attention to important social and developmental challenges within the area.
He made the remarks during an interaction on Fafaa FM with the Executive President of the Foundation, Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe.
The discussion followed a petition submitted by the Tega family, after which the Foundation announced its permanent withdrawal from the investigation, citing repeated breaches of investigative procedures and alleged defamatory remarks attributed to one of the petitioners, Mr. Atsu Tega.
Speaking during the programme, Torgbi Avorkliya V described the Foundation’s work as commendable and encouraged its leadership to continue promoting peace and supporting communities through their social intervention mechanisms
He also expressed concern over comments allegedly made by Mr. Atsu Tega, describing them as unfortunate and potentially capable of escalating tensions within the family. The Chief therefore appealed for calm, reconciliation, and forgiveness among all parties involved.
The Duamenefa Foundation, in response, cautioned the public against associating it with the controversial remarks, explaining that the statements should be viewed as comments made out of frustration and not representative of the Foundation’s position.
Although the Foundation had withdrawn from the investigation, Mr. Evortepe sought the Chief’s views on the matter during the programme. In response, Torgbi Avorkliya V explained that the dispute was complex because the parties involved belonged to the same community and lineage under his traditional jurisdiction.
According to the Chief, the land dispute had previously been brought before his palace for arbitration, where a decision had already been delivered. He explained that the petition by Madam Atsufui Tega claimed she purchased the land from her father, but noted that the claim did not entirely align with the historical background of the family land.
He maintained that the disputed land remained family property accessible to all family members and referred to an earlier court judgment on the matter delivered on September 19, 1966. The Chief stated that the historical records surrounding the case made some of the present claims difficult to reconcile.
Torgbi Avorkliya V further observed that Madam Atsufui Tega would have been about five years old at the time of the court ruling, making the present purchase claim difficult to align with the family’s established land history.
He indicated that the family had already shared portions of the land among themselves through agreed arrangements and urged all parties to respect their boundaries in the interest of peace and unity.
The Chief also explained that under customary law and chieftaincy practice, once a matter has been adjudicated by a traditional authority of equal rank, it is generally not expected to be reheard before another traditional ruler of the same level unless the matter proceeds to a competent court.
According to him, this customary principle made it difficult for another traditional arbitration process to be conducted on the same matter after a decision had already been delivered at his palace.
He further expressed concern over why the matter was still being pursued at the palace of Torgbi Vodzi despite the earlier arbitration process, describing the situation as confusing given his jurisdictional involvement in the case.
Despite the Foundation’s withdrawal from the investigation, Mr. Evortepe appealed to the Chief to reconsider facilitating a review process aimed at achieving lasting peace. He suggested that relevant state institutions could be invited to educate the family on constitutional and legal provisions, including aspects of PNDC Law 111, to help prevent future disputes.
The Foundation also appealed for Mr. Atsu Tega and selected family members to formally apologise over the alleged defamatory remarks in order to restore peace and reconciliation within the family.
Responding to the proposal, Torgbi Avorkliya V described it as a positive initiative and expressed hope that the parties involved would cooperate. He stated that if the family members presented themselves, he would support the reconciliation process, noting that the families involved share long-standing marital and historical ties within Dzodze Fiagbedu.
He reaffirmed his readiness to support peace-building efforts, while the Duamenefa Foundation commended him for his openness to reconciliation and dialogue.
The Chief further emphasised that traditional dispute resolution remains an important mechanism for maintaining peace in families and communities, as it helps prevent unnecessary escalation of conflicts.
Meanwhile, some residents in Dzodze have expressed concern over recurring land disputes in the area, attributing the challenges to unclear land boundaries and longstanding family disagreements. They called for improved documentation and proper demarcation of family lands to reduce tensions and future disputes.
Security and peace advocates have also encouraged sustained dialogue between traditional authorities, families, and state institutions to strengthen peaceful coexistence and ensure early resolution of disputes within communities.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze