Hon. Wilfred Kwabla Dakunya, Assembly Member for the Akame Electoral Area, has lamented the growing impact of the ongoing chieftaincy dispute, describing it as a major source of harm to the community and its residents.
He made this statement on the airwaves of Fafaa 100.3 FM during the Duamenefa social intervention programme on Thursday, and in interactions with the Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation, Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, when he was invited to speak on a petition submitted to the foundation by the Dzonyrah family concerning the chieftaincy dispute, which has generated a number of troubling occurrences in the area.
According to Hon. Dakunya, there is so much chieftaincy dispute in the Akame Electoral Area, and it is affecting the community in many ways even impacting him personally as an Assembly Member. He revealed that because of some of these disputes, he is currently involved in court proceedings.
He lamented that the situation is extremely confusing and distressing. “When you approach one party, the other will accuse you of supporting the opposing side, leaving you confused and unsure of what to do,” he said, noting that this has been very disturbing for him.
Hon. Dakunya further highlighted that in one of the communities in the Akame Electoral Area, known as Kpogedi, the chieftaincy dispute is on a serious trail. He stated that some individuals have even taken cutlasses and other harmful objects against each other, a development he described as very dangerous and alarming.
He called for unity among the people of the Akame Electoral Area, urging them to work together so they can develop the area collectively. He emphasized that peace and cooperation are essential for the progress and well-being of the entire community.
He also appealed to the Duamenefa Foundation to help foster unity in the Akame Electoral Area, commending the foundation for investigating the matter and bringing positive solutions to the long-standing dispute.
Hon. Dakunya further urged all stakeholders, including traditional authorities, family heads, and opinion leaders, to prioritize dialogue and peaceful resolution. He called on the relevant institutions to intervene swiftly to prevent further escalation and bring lasting peace to the Akame Electoral Area.
He stressed that without a unified approach, the people of Akame Electoral Area will continue to face unnecessary tension and setbacks in their daily lives. According to him, ongoing disputes are creating divisions that hinder community cohesion and make collective progress difficult.
The Assembly Member also noted that the younger generation is being negatively influenced by the unrest, as the disputes foster a culture of mistrust and animosity. He expressed concern that if not addressed urgently, these conflicts could escalate further, leading to serious social and security challenges in the area.
Hon. Dakunya further highlighted the historical bond among the people of the Akame community, stating that it was founded by a single grandfather whose descendants make up the entire population. “This means we are one family,” he said. “We need to come together, build the community, and forget about our differences.”
He appealed specifically to the Dzonyrah family to exercise patience in the chieftaincy dispute they are currently involved in, urging them to come together and resolve the matter amicably as one family and one people.
He concluded by reiterating his commitment to working with all parties to find lasting solutions. He urged the people to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and compromise, emphasizing that the future prosperity of Akame Electoral Area depends on their ability to resolve disputes peacefully.
By Hutor Dziwornu,Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze