By Jones Anlimah
The Abutia Traditional Area has officially installed Togbe Keh Korsi as Mankrado and Queen Mother Keh Beah III as the new Queen Mother in a colourful ceremony marked by traditional splendour, unity, and pledges of service.
Held at the Abutia Teti, in the Ho West District of the Volta Region, the ceremony drew chiefs, elders, clergy, government officials, and citizens from home and abroad. The event symbolized continuity of leadership and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to unity and development.
In his inaugural address, Togbe Keh Korsi, the newly installed Senior Mankrado of Abutia Traditional Area, expressed deep gratitude to the traditional area and the people for their confidence in his leadership.
“I stand before you not by my own strength nor by personal ambition, but by your confidence in sacred decision,” he said. “I am deeply honoured to serve as Senior Mankrado of the Abutia Traditional Area.”
The new Mankrado emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, discipline, and education as tools for community advancement.
“Abutia does not belong to one family, one clan, or one generation. Abutia belongs to all of us,” he declared. “Our children must go to school. Education is not a privilege; it is a responsibility we owe the next generation.”
He pledged to work collaboratively with the Paramount Chief, traditional council, and all stakeholders, saying, “Leadership without fellowship is empty, and fellowship without leadership is directionless. Progress thrives where unity reigns.”
Queen Mother Keh Beah III, a biological scientist by profession, echoed similar themes in her address. She called for a balance between tradition and innovation to propel Abutia toward a prosperous future.
“Our traditions are the foundation upon which we stand. I’ll honour them while embracing progress and innovation,” she affirmed.
The Queen Mother pledged to serve as “a beacon of hope, shining bright for all to see,” urging the youth to “dream big, work hard and never lose sight of their worth.” She also paid glowing tribute to the Paramount Chief, Togbe Abutia Kojo Gede V, for his “wise leadership and guidance.”
Both leaders concluded with calls for unity and cooperation to ensure peace, discipline, and sustainable development in the Abutia Traditional Area.
The ceremony featured drumming, dancing, and blessings from the elders, marking a new chapter in Abutia’s traditional leadership and cultural heritage.
