Togbui Gabusu Storms Hohoe Zongo

After a long silence since the clashes that erupted in Hohoe last Monday, which led to the death of three people, the Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, Togbega Gabusu VI, accompanied by his sub-chiefs and subjects, will storm Hohoe Zongo today. Togbega Gabusu will also visit all parts of the town that were affected by the clashes including his palace which was vandalised. According to a statement issued by the Gbi Traditional Council, the tour was to send a strong signal to the Zongo community and affirm the authority of the chief in the traditional area. This will be the first time Togbe Gabusu will be seen in public, especially by his subjects, since the deadly incident. The statement, which was read by Togbe Adzima of Gbi Abansi, also noted that the ultimatum which was given to the Zongo youth to return the chief�s regalia, which expired yesterday, had been relaxed. Hence the Zongo community has ample time to return the missing regalia. That notwithstanding, Togbe Adzima condemned the action of the irate Zongo youth, describing it as a gross disrespect to the authority of the paramount chief and the overlord of the land. He warned them against such action and stressed that it would not be countenanced if repeated. The statement noted that the decision to relax the ultimatum for the return of the regalia was as a result of an intervention by the President, the Vice President, the Regional Minister, Henry Ford Kamel and his Deputy, Henry Ametefe. The decision is also to fast-track the peace process in the area. The Volta Regional House of Chiefs, led by Togbe Afede, the Commanding Officer of the Military Southern Command, Brigadier General Ahaiaglo, the National Chief Imam, Sheik Sharubutu among others also intervened. The decision has given the Zongo community a huge relief as those in Hohoe have asked their relatives who fled the town to return. Most of them who spoke to DAILY GUIDE expressed gratitude to the Gbi Traditional Council and Togbega Gabusu for the decision and promised to be peaceful neighbours. They also promised to contact their relatives to come out in their numbers to meet Togbega Gabusu and pay homage to him and the paramountcy. Some Muslims who fled Hohoe are reportedly returning. Vice President John Mahama, touring the area yesterday, visited both parties in Hohoe and urged them to give peace a chance. He commended the Gbi chiefs for their tolerance and long-standing relationship with the Zongo community and urged them to continue to be hospitable to other Ghanaians who moved to Hohoe. Mr. Mahama also noted that when the Eastern Corridor Road was completed, Hohoe would become busier and a destination for people from all walks of life and therefore they would have to keep accommodating others to develop the area. Has asked the Zongo community to intensify its search for the regalia and ensure it lived peacefully with the indigenes to avert future clashes. He called on those who had fled to other communities to return and help in the peace process. The Interior Minister, William Aboah, who accompanied the Vice President, also announced that Friday�s curfew had been relaxed to 7pm instead of 6pm. Henry Ford Kamel noted that maximum security would be provided to ensure an incident-free tour. In a related development, basic schools within Hohoe and its surrounding communities have been closed down since last Monday. Fourteen-year-old Zeinab appealed to leaders of both factions to reconcile fast since their future was on the line. Businesses have also been affected as local businessmen and women are either closing or partially opening their shops. Those from other regions and districts have declined doing business in Hohoe until the situation normalises.