A simmering chieftaincy dispute in the Avenor Traditional Area has resurfaced after the Volta Regional House of Chiefs overwhelmingly rejected the recognition of Torgbui Samlafo IV as Paramount Chief of Atsiame.
The decision, reached through a vote on Thursday, saw 33 members opposing his approval, only two supporting, 15 abstaining, and six absent. The outcome has effectively stalled efforts to elevate Atsiame to a paramountcy status under the National House of Chiefs.
The controversy stems from a Chieftaincy Declaration Form issued by the National House of Chiefs, which recognized Torgbui Samlafo IV as Paramount Chief of Atsiame and sought endorsement from the Volta Regional House.
But during deliberations, Torgbui Dorglo Anumah VI, Paramount Chief of the Avenor Traditional Area, strongly objected, arguing that Atsiame is one of 13 clans under Avenor and therefore cannot independently assume paramount status.
“There is no such thing as a clan paramountcy in the Volta Region,” he insisted, accusing Torgbui Samlafo and his supporters of attempting to fragment the Avenor State.
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, acknowledged the complexities of the petition, which sparked heated debate among the members before the vote was taken.
Sources close to the House told GNA that while both the Research Committee and the Standing Committee had earlier endorsed the application, the full House rejected it outright—a rare outcome that underscores the level of resistance within the traditional leadership.
The Regional House is now expected to formally communicate its disapproval to the National House of Chiefs, potentially deepening the rift between supporters of Torgbui Samlafo and the wider Avenor leadership.
Analysts warn that the dispute could further strain unity in the Avenor Traditional Area if not managed carefully. Community members are said to be divided, with some backing Torgbui Samlafo’s quest for elevation, while others rally behind Torgbui Dorglo Anumah’s call to safeguard the integrity of the Avenor State.
The Volta Region, already home to several unresolved chieftaincy disputes, is watching closely to see whether this latest standoff will be resolved through dialogue or escalate into a protracted legal and traditional battle.
