The Paramount Chief of the Likpe Traditional Area, Nana Soglo Alloh IV, has been elected President of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs.

He beat the Krachiwura, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, who was the incumbent and thus the first President of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs after the region was split from the Volta Region, by eight votes to six in a keenly contested election conducted by the Oti Regional Electoral Commission at Dambai.

The two were the only contestants for the presidency.

In all, 14 out of 15 Paramount Chiefs were present for the elections.

The Paramount Chief of the Atwodie Traditional Area, Nana Obonbo Sewura Lupuwura II, was elected the Vice-President, after defeating his sole contender, the Paramount Chief of Tepa Abotoase, Nana Okoforobour Baffour Kwame Asante II, by 11 votes to three.

Nana Besemuna III, Paramount Chief of Ntrobo Traditional Area, Nana Tidibo Kowuru Odamba II and the Paramount Chief of Dodo Traditional Area, Dasebre Oduro-Guranim I, were elected to represent the Regional House of Chiefs at the National House of Chiefs.

Nana Besemuna expressed appreciation to members for their support during his tenure, and to the government for listening to their plea for a region, which he said would accelerate socio-economic development in the area.

The Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machator, expressed satisfaction with the roles members of the house had played over the years to ensure peace and harmony in their respective communities.

He, however, appealed to them to join hands, advising the youth against allowing politicians to lure them into engaging in violent activities that might disrupt the December 7 general election.  

The minister said the youth should rather channel their energies into profitable ventures rolled out by the government to alleviate poverty.

Commendation

Nana Alloh IV commended his predecessor, Nana Besemuna, for his pioneering efforts in the creation of the region.

He expressed his readiness to seek Nana Besemuna’s advice and guidance in the task ahead.

Nana Alloh IV pleaded with the chiefs to continue to give him the necessary cooperation they offered to Nana Besemuna to help enhance the rapid development of the region.