Torgbi Dzelu IV, one of the longest-serving reigning Chiefs among the Anlo traditional authorities, has strongly refuted allegations made against him by Torgbi Zewu IV concerning funds allegedly donated by businessman Mr. Ibrahim Mahama towards the organisation of the Anlo Mini Hogbeza 2023.
Torgbi Dzelu IV’s response follows comments reportedly made by Torgbi Zewu IV during a live programme on Jubilee Radio 106.9, Keta, where he alleged that Torgbi Dzelu IV had received GH¢100,000 from Ibrahim Mahama towards the construction of a community library in Keta.
However, responding to the allegation, Torgbi Dzelu IV, visibly angered by the claims, categorically denied receiving the said GH¢100,000.
According to him, Ibrahim Mahama only pledged to support the library project but had as of the time of his response did not fulfill the promise.
Torgbi Dzelu IV further clarified that the only money he personally went for from Torgbi Zewu IV was GH¢50,000, which, according to him, was a physical donation made intended to support the organisation of the Mini Hogbeza.
Torgbi Dzelu IV said the money was presented to him in the presence of several traditional leaders, including Awadada Agbeshi Awusu II, Torgbi Gbordzor III, Torgbi Haxomene and some other Chiefs and committee members.
The veteran Chief, who has occupied the throne for nearly 30 years, also sought to distinguish the organizational structures of the Mini Hogbeza from those of the main Hogbetsotso festival.
According to him, neither the chiefs nor members of the planning committee of the main Hogbetsotso festival personally provided any funds to his team for the organization of the Mini Hogbeza.
He explained that the organizers of the Mini Hogbeza constituted their own planning committee and independently mobilized resources to support the celebration.
Torgbi Dzelu IV therefore, questioned the basis for what he described as allegations against him and his team.
He also challenged Torgbi Zewu IV’s decision to publicly question the status of the library project, arguing that the project was an initiative of the Mini Hogbeza planning committee and not a project initiated by the main Hogbetsotso planning committee.
The chief further questioned whether the organizers of previous Mini Hogbeza celebrations had undertaken any development projects in communities before claiming ownership of the library initiative by his team.
“Since they have been organizing Mini Hogbeza, have they ever put up any project anywhere?” he asked, while stressing that the library project should not be attributed to the main Hogbetsotso planning committee.
Torgbi Dzelu IV maintained that his intention was to set the record straight and protect the integrity of his name and that of the team that worked to organize the 2023's Mini Hogbeza.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to the relationship between the various committees involved in the organization of Anlo's traditional festivals and the management of funds and development initiatives associated with such celebrations.
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