Duamenefa Foundation Let us coexist in peace together
The Duamenefa Foundation, a movement of over 48,654 registered and certified volunteers, mandated to promote peaceful coexistence of people in the various communities of the Volta Region has intensified its investigation into an ongoing chieftaincy dispute in Atsiame, in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region.
Two individuals have reportedly been installed onto the same stool title, Torgbui Gblonya III. The development has created deep division within the Gblonya family and raised concerns among community members.
Reports indicate that one of the individuals installed is currently ill and allegedly exhibiting unusual behaviour, including excessive alcohol consumption and strange conduct. The situation has heightened public concern and prompted the Duamenefa Foundation to step in to uncover the truth and help restore peace.
As part of its investigation, the Foundation invited the family head of the Gblonya family, Mr. Cephas Awudi, to give clarity on the matter. Introducing himself, Mr. Awudi stated that he is the legitimate family head of the Gblonya family, a position he has held since 2004—serving for 21 years. He confirmed that the dispute is real and has resulted in serious fragmentation within the family.
Mr. Awudi lamented that the disagreement has scattered the family into multiple factions, affecting relationships and weakening unity. Using the platform provided by the Duamenefa Foundation, he made a passionate appeal to family members to embrace reconciliation, stressing that unity is essential for restoring peace. He emphasized that “reconciliation is not a covenant, but a necessary path to peace and healing.”
During the engagement, Duamenefa sought clarity on how two individuals came to bear the same stool title. Mr. Awudi explained that the Gblonya stool had originally chosen one person who was introduced to the stool. However, information later came from the Kingmakers of Anlo Traditional Council, at the time, indicating that they were no longer installing someone who is not educated as a chief.
He explained that after hearing this information, the family instructed the second person—who also bears the name Torgbui Gblonya—to replace himself with his son in order to meet the new requirement. However, he refused.
Following his refusal, and the confusion that arose, the family decided to install the person who is now ill as the chief of the Gblonya chieftaincy stool.
Mr. Awudi further revealed that the second person who also bears the Gblonya title used to live in Accra, where it was alleged that he once used a chisel to cut himself in a way that appeared strange to his brothers. Due to the unusual nature of the incident, the family allegedly consulted an oracle. According to him, the oracle revealed that the Gblonya Chieftaincy Stool claimed responsibility for the act, spiritually indicating that the stool wanted the man to be installed as chief.
Mr. Awudi clarified that at the time of this incident, he was not yet the family head—he was a young man then. He added that the family allegedly introduced the man to the stool following the oracle’s revelation, but he was not officially installed. Before the formal installation could take place, the family received the information from the Anlo Kingmakers concerning their current considerations for installing a chief.
He emphasized that this marked the beginning of the dispute in the Gblonya family.
Mr. Awudi explained that these conflicting accounts regarding who was chosen, who should be installed, and why changes were made have fueled deep mistrust within the family. Many remain unsure whether the original stool decision was respected or altered due to external pressures.
He added that the illness of the currently installed chief has worsened tension, as some family members believe his strange behaviour may be connected to unresolved traditional or spiritual matters linked to the chieftaincy. He warned that unless the family unites to address these issues, the situation could become more complicated.
In an emotional appeal, Mr. Awudi urged all Gblonya family members to come together and reconcile to save the chief who is currently ill. He reminded them that the ailing chief is “the son of someone”, and the entire family shares the responsibility to support his healing and recovery.
The Duamenefa Foundation, under the leadership of Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe, known for championing peace, human rights, and community welfare in the Volta Region, stated that its priority is to safeguard the well-being of the ill chief and support actions that promote lasting unity.
Mr. Ketaman Evortepe, assured the general public that the foundation in collaboration with relevant stakeholders will continue gathering evidence, mediating, and working with family leadership to resolve the dispute peacefully.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to unraveling the mysteries surrounding the dual installation, ensuring the safety of those involved, and restoring harmony within the Gblonya family.
Investigations are still ongoing, and the Duamenefa Foundation promises to keep the public updated as the situation develops.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze
