Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to open restricted land borders in memory of Charles Kormi Kudjordi, the late founder and head of the secessionist group, the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF).
Mr. Kudjordi, alias Papavi, has long advocated for a non-violent campaign to have a portion of the nation, comprising the Volta and Oti regions, declared an autonomous state called Western Togoland.
He died in the early hours of Saturday, October 16, 2021, at his home.
Mr. Ablakwa paid homage to the octogenarian, saying that although he could not and did not support the movement for Western Togoland secession, there was no question that the separatist leader was especially enthusiastic about the Volta Region’s development.
Thus, he wishes to see the borders reopened in memory of Mr Kudjordi in order to stimulate economic activity in the Volta area.
“It is, therefore, my hope and expectation that fallible as all men are, Papavi’s positive side — which was his unwavering commitment to see a more developed Volta Region despite the frailty of old age would be honoured by an immediate presidential directive from Nana Akufo-Addo to open all our land borders.”
“This will bring to an end more than a year of economic tribulations of our compatriots leaving in border communities across the country,” Mr. Ablakwa suggested.
The 86-year-old was recently detained and charged in connection with a fabricated declaration of independence in October 2019.
Despite its non-violent attitude, the foundation has been blamed for assaults on police stations and roadblocks in the Volta Region on September 25, 2020, as well as the raid and torching of buses at the Ho State Transport Corporation yard.
However, the MP has appealed to Ghanaians to ignore Papavi’s transgressions and concentrate on his dedication to the Volta Region’s development.
“Papavi may as well be remembered for his attempts to have us divided when he was alive, the President has it in his power to use the memory of Papavi’s loss to cement our national unity and end the policy of discrimination between air travellers and land travellers as all ECOWAS member states have done”, the MP added.
President Akufo-Addo ordered the country’s borders closed in March 2020 as part of measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
The land borders have only been allowing the passage of cargo.
According to the Presidency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would make a decision on the country’s current border closure in due course after discussions with the COVID-19 National Response Team.
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