Separatists an embarrassment to Volta Region - Minister

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister has condemned activities of the so-called separatist group, called Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) describing it as an embarrassment to the people of the region.

He said members of the group allegedly committed a treasonable offence punishable by law by declaring Volta Region, an independent state from Ghana.

Kormi Kudzordzi, 85, also known as Papavi Hogbedetor, founder and leader of the so-called group, on Saturday, November 16, 2019, claimed he had declared Volta Region an independent Western Togoland state.

The so-called separatists were arrested in 2017 when some of its leaders on March 07, in Ho, pronounced that they would be declaring independence on March 09.

Dr Letsa, the Regional Minister was speaking at a thanksgiving service of the 2019 International Convention of the Global Evangelical Church (GEC) held at Adaklu Wumenu, said members of the so-called secessionists group were twisting and distorting history by including Keta and other parts of Anloland and Tongu areas, which were not part of the Trans-Volta Togoland, in their secessionist activities.

He admonished members of GEC especially their pastors to stay away from such activities saying, “I don’t want any of my pastors to be arrested in connection with this Western Togoland issue” using the latest arrest of the secessionists which included a pastor of a certain church, as example.

He asked people in the region to disregard the declaration of Volta Region as an independent state saying, “we’re part and parcel of the Republic of Ghana, we are not a Western Togoland State.”

Dr Letsa asked the Church to play a part in the fight against corruption and continue to pray for “those in authority to lead and govern with the fear of God.”

He asked the congregants to support and take advantage of government's policies especially the Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs, and Planting for Export and Rural Development meant to make life easier for the citizenry.

The convention, which saw members of the GEC from Ghana, Togo and Ivory Coast in attendance, had the Moderator of the church, Rt Rev Dr Setorwu Kodzo Ofori underscoring the need for commitment to Christ in a sermon on the theme, “Effective Discipleship: The Cross and Our Commitment”.