The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV was yesterday elected as President of the National House of Chiefs (NHC).
Togbe Afede beat three other high ranking chiefs namely; Awulae Atibrukusu III – Omanhene of Lower Axim, who was the vice president of the house, the Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin and Nana Kwabena Nketia VI – Omanhene of the Essikado Traditional area to ascend the high profile position.
He succeeds Naa Professor John Nabila, who was elected in 2008. The Chronicle is very happy that Togbe Afede XIV has received the nod to head such a very important institution in the country, especially at a time when the NHC has come under a barrage of criticism following the indiscriminate endorsement of political party leaders contesting the December 7 elections by a some traditional leaders who are members of the House.
It is the expectation of The Chronicle that the Agbogbomefia would use his vast experience in national development to restore the reverence that has been associated with the chieftaincy institution.
Since he was installed in 2003 as the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede, known in private life as James Akpo, has brought new life, vigour and vision into traditional leadership, championing people-centred development and opening new vistas in commerce, business and industry.
Togbe Afede is on record to have organised the first ever Volta Congress, a year after his installation and collated development plans of the region into a single document and led some chiefs and entrepreneurs to the People’s Republic of China to explore opportunities in the region and Ghana as a whole.
It was this exploration that led to the establishment of the Sunon-Asogli Power Plant at Kpone. He is also the one who redeemed Accra Hearts of Oak from collapse and continues to direct the affairs of the oldest football club in the country.
It was Togbe Afede who founded the Strategic African Securities Limited and SAS Investment Management Limited and co-founded Databank Financial Services Ghana Limited.
Aside being a Lecturer at the Business School of the University of Ghana, Legon, the man, who is an Investment Banker with experience spanning over twenty (20) years, is also the Executive Director of Databank Financial Services Limited.
Togbe Afede has been a Director of Pioneer Kitchenware Ghana Limited (Alternatively, Pioneer Kitchenware Limited) since January 2002 and serves as Chairman of the Board.
He served as a non-Executive Director at Bank of Ghana since April 16, 2009 until June 26, 2013, and again serves as a Director of the National Theatre of Ghana.
With the above credentials, The Chronicle believes the Board Chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak has what it takes to effect changes at the NHC and improve upon its fortunes, as well as restore the reverence traditional rulers enjoy in the country.
Togbe Afede must also work hard to reduce the chieftaincy disputes across the length and breadth of the country, not forgetting the numerous land litigations plaguing the country.
Since traditional institutions provide leadership roles in mobilizing people for community development, Togbe Afede should use his new position to get the chiefs to behave in a manner which would bring them respect and admiration.
For Togbe Kporku III, Dufia of Alakple to describe him as a lone ranger who epitomises positive virtues of voluntarism, honesty, humility, industry, hard work, integrity and accountability, it means he has what it takes to lead the house and he dares not fail his colleague chiefs who elected him and the country.
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