Togbuiga Delume VII Celebrates

25^th Anniversary

From all indications, this year’s ‘Dodoleglimeza’, the festival of the chiefs and people of the Ve Traditional Area in the Hohoe District of the Volta Region, will be celebrated with a difference.

The reason is that his year’s celebration, which marks the heroic and historic migration of the people of Ve from the wickedness and tyranny of Togbui Agokoli, the then King of Norkye in the Republic of Togo, will coincide with the 25^th anniversary of the installation of Togbuiga Delume VII, the Paramount Chief of the Ve Traditional Area.

Already, top government officials, Ministers of State, Members of the Council of State, Traditional Authorities and people from all walks of life have been invited to grace the grand occasion which starts from Sunday, October 4, 2009 to Sunday, October 11, 2009.

The climax of the celebration will be on October 9, 2009 when the symbolic breaking down of the thick six-foot wall built around the Norkye city to ward off enemies in times of war would take place. On October 10, 2009, a grand durbar of the chiefs and people would be held at Ve-Deme, the seat of traditional area.

In the evening of the same day, a state dance will be held at Ve-Golokuati where ‘Miss Lukusi’ will be crowned. A non-denominational church service will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009 to give thanks to the Almighty God for taking the chief and his people that far.

In 1984 when Mr. Christian Kwadzo Klu was installed as Togbuiga Delume VII to succeed his late uncle, Tobguiga Delume VI, many were the people who doubted the ability of the new chief to carry out the heavy duties of a paramount chief because they thought he was not mature enough to do so.

But 25 years down the lane, all those ‘doubting Thomases’, some of whom are still alive today are now heaving sighs of relief after they have seen the achievements that the then young chief has chalked up so far.

What is behind the success of the young chief is humility. Despite the fact that he is the Number One citizen in the traditional area, he is prepared to go any length to learn the rudiments of chieftaincy from the elders and knowledgeable people beyond the Ve Traditional Area.

Even before he became a chief, Mr. Klu had high regard for children and other people whose social status were far below his. He strongly believes that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow and must, therefore, be properly cared for so that when their time to assume that role comes, they would not be found wanting.

Holding on to that belief, Togbuiga developed very strong relations with other segments of the society and wherever he went, he was warmly received with the accompanying respect and honour.

It was not surprising, therefore, that in the same year that he was installed he was accepted into the Regional House of Chiefs in Ho.

By dint of hard work, he proceeded to the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi two years later, where he remains till today.

At the Regional House of Chiefs, Togbuiga held and continues to hold several positions, including Vice-President (2005-2008); Standing Committee Member (1985-2007); Research Committee Chairman (2004-2008).

At the National House of Chiefs, Togbuiga served on the following committees; Judicial Committee – Member (1986-1998); Public Relations Committee (1986-1992) and Research Committee (2004-2008).

The unprecedented rise of Togbuiga Delume from the Regional House of Chiefs to the National House of Chiefs is an indication of the seriousness which he attached to this important and prestigious national assignment. By this, he has not only lifted his personal image, but has as well promoted better recognition for the entire Ve Traditional Area.

For the 25 years that Togbuiga has been on the Delume Stool, he has achieved a lot for the traditional area. But what stands out tallest of all is his pursuit for quality education for the area. His first reference point is the unique role he played in the integration of the Ve Community High School into the Ghana Education Service System. That achievement would forever remain indelible in the history of the traditional area.   The school is now serving as the most reliable link between students of the area and universities of the country. Every year increasing numbers of students from the school are admitted to the universities.

Togbuiga, the professional teacher that he is, has been advising parents to take very good care of their children and wards at school because education is the best legacy that they could bequeath to their children and wards.

Similarly, he has been encouraging the youth, especially students to be very serious with their studies to enable them to climb the educational ladder to wherever their abilities could carry them, because education is the only facility which could break the chain of poverty among families and communities.

One other area where Toguiga has endeared himself to his people is his peace-loving efforts. He did not only settle chieftaincy disputes existing in the traditional area before his installment, but also maintained the existing peace with all the surrounding communities.

Togbuiga in his burning desire to make life worth living for his people has over the years supported successive governments, the regional administration and the Hohoe District Assembly to provide electricity in the traditional area.

The provision of electricity has kick-started the establishment of many small-scale enterprises like hairdressing saloons, modern dress-making shops, vulcanizing workshops, refrigeration repair shops and a host of similar facilities in the traditional area.

The provisions of those facilities have gone very far in solving the unemployment problem in the traditional area. Nationally, it is also serving as a effective check against the youth drifting into the big cities and urban areas to look for non-existent jobs.

Under Togbuiga’s leadership, good drinking water has been provided to all except Ve-Koloenu and Ve Dafor communities. Even in the cases of the two communities, plans are afoot for the provision of the facility.

During the period under review, a clinic which started from humble beginnings as a dispensary is now operating as a maternity and children’s hospital. A mortuary is expected to be added to it very soon.

For the first time in the history of the Ve-Traditional Area, Togbuiga VII has initiated a palace with facilities befitting the status of the current and future paramount chiefs of Ve. It can accommodate at least 50 guests at any given time at Ve-Deme.