Togbe Atsuga Sogah II is the legitimate Divisional Chief of Sogakope

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The Sogah Palace of the Fievie Traditional Area has reaffirmed that Mr. Freeman Soga, also known as Togbe Atsuga Sogah II, is the legitimate Divisional Chief of Fievie-Sogakope in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

This came following the recent ruling given by the Judicial Committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Ho.

Addressing a press conference held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Togbe Agamah IV’s old residency, opposite the Ghana Police Charge office (Sogakofe), the Sogah Family head, Mr. Wisdom Soga, explained that Togbe Atsuga Sogah II is the legitimate Divisional Chief of Sogakope.

He explained that in September 2021, Mr. S.K. Godor and others commenced an action at the Regional House of Chiefs, Ho, against Togbe Atsuga Sogah II, the Divisional Chief of Fievie, and Togbega Amata IV, the Paramount Chief of Fievie Traditional Area, President of the Fievie Traditional Council, and other notables of Fievie.

According to him, the petitioners in the said matter were challenging the nomination, selection, and installation of Togbe Atsuga Sogah II as the Divisional Chief of Sogakope.

He clarified that the installation of the chief of Sogakope was in accordance with the laid-down customary practices of the Fievie Traditional Area, and the same practices have been duly followed.

“By Fievie custom and practices, as pertains in other parts of Eweland, it is only descendants from the male line who occupy the Soga stool, and so have been installed on the Soga Stool, being a true descendant of the High Priest of Fievie in the person of Amega Axatse, the son of Lewu, the son of Ekor, the son of Togbe Ayasu Daglama I of Anaozome.”

The statement further explained that the installation of Togbe Atsuga Sogah II as the Divisional Chief of Sogakope was to correct distortions in the ascendency to the Soga stool, where descendants from the matrilineal line of Soga of old arrogated to themselves the position of kingmakers.

Togbe Atsuga Sogah II indicated that since his installation, people from the female line of descent did not want to stop at nothing unless they destooled him, but this was not to be.

“After almost three years in court in Ho, my lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the court with regards to my position as Divisional Chief of Fievie-Sogakope. The Judicial Committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, having considered my lawyer’s submission, upheld same and dismissed the petition brought against myself and others for want of jurisdiction.” He said.

The Judicial Committee also referred the petition to the Fievie Traditional Council, being the place where the matter arose.

Press Statement from Sogah Palace

Ruling from the Judicial Committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Ho.

Petitioners

The ruling from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Ho, indicated that the petitioners were Mama Mornyui Wui IV, Zikpuitor Gabriel Dzamesi, and Zikpuitor Godson Negble.

Respondents

The action was brought against Togbe Agama Amata IV, Togbe Sakpiti III, Zikpuitor Awuku Doe Atakli, Francis Kwame Soga, and Freeman Soga, also known as Togbe Atsuga Sogah II.

According to a ruling from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Ho, the petitioners failed to disclose any cause of action against the 1st Respondent, as a result, the committee is left without jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter since the other respondents, including Togbe Atsuga Sogah II, Divisional Chief of Sogakope, cannot be legally brought before the Judicial Committee on the instant matter for litigation.

In the circumstances, the Judicial Committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs hereby declines jurisdiction, as the issues contained in the petition herein are matters affecting the Soga Royal Stool, which is a divisional stool. There is no order as to cost.

The four-member constituted panel (Judicial Committee) of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs therefore dismissed the case brought before it and subsequently referred the same to the Fievie Traditional Council for final determination.

Ruling from the Judicial Committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Ho

Celebration over the ruling

The Sogah Palace, Soga family, lineage to the stool, and a section of the people of Sogakope had a sigh of relief when the case against Togbe Atsuga Sogah II, Divisional Chief of Sogakope, was dismissed.

They believed that the dismissal of the case was a sign of victory, and they took to the streets to celebrate the preliminary outcome of the legal determination in the long-awaited case.

Call for investors, developers, business tycoons

Speaking to the media, Togbe Atsuga Sogah II lamented that chieftaincy issues and litigation are affecting the development of Sogakope and South Tongu at large.

As a peace-making personality, he called on all indigenous people of Sogakope and the Fievie Traditional Area to come together to promote and support the development of the area.

Togbe Atsuga Sogah II also appealed to investors, developers, and business tycoons, some of whom had fled due to chieftaincy issues, to return to Sogakope and the Fievie Traditional Area for long-term development plans.

He noted that the Fievie Traditional Area has vast acres of land for numerous development projects, including agriculture, and as the Divisional Chief of Fievie, his doors are open for investors to contact him for any developmental projects that will bring development to the people of Sogakope and thereby alleviate the suffering and hardship of his people, especially the youth.