By Jones Anlimah
The Tanyigbe Traditional Council has reaffirmed the legitimacy and authority of His Royal Highness Togbega Kodi Adiko VI as the Paramount Chief of the Tanyigbe Traditional Area, describing as misleading claims circulating in sections of the media that seek to question his status.
In a press release issued on December 23, 2025, the Council stated that the Kodi Stool remains the ancient and paramount stool of Tanyigbe, tracing its origin to Notsie during the historic migration of the Ewe people. According to the Council, the stool has, for centuries, constituted the supreme traditional authority over the four divisions of Tanyigbe including Anyigbe, Etoe, Atidze, and Dzafe.
The statement explained that both oral tradition and documented historical records confirm an unbroken, non-rotational line of succession from the Kodivi Royal Clan of the Adiko Royal Family, culminating in the enstoolment of Togbega Kodi Adiko VI. His predecessors were named as Togbe Kodi Adiko I, Togbe Fiakpoe Adiko I, Togbe Apatsi Adiko III, Togbe Goto Kos Adiko IV, and Togbe Kwasi Adiko V.
The Council further affirmed that Togbega Kodi Adiko VI was duly nominated, selected, confined, and enstooled following the death of Togbe Kwasi Adiko V, in strict conformity with Tanyigbe and Ewe customary practices. It noted that all required rites, including oath-swearing, sacred rituals, and public outdooring, were fully observed with the participation and endorsement of the appropriate kingmakers and traditional authorities.
Touching on the legal dimension of the matter, the Traditional Council acknowledged that a chieftaincy dispute relating to the Tanyigbe Paramountcy is currently before the National House of Chiefs. While a ruling was delivered by the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in March 2025, the Council confirmed that an appeal has since been duly filed.
It emphasized that under Section 34 of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759), the filing of an appeal operates as an automatic stay of execution of the Regional House’s decision. As a result, the Council maintained that “any claim suggesting that the enstoolment of Togbega Kodi Adiko VI has been nullified, declared void, or rendered illegitimate is legally unfounded and misleading.”
According to the statement, the Regional House of Chiefs’ ruling remains stayed, and Togbega Kodi Adiko VI continues to exercise full authority as Paramount Chief, pending the final determination of the appeal by the National House of Chiefs.
The Council reiterated that chiefs, elders, and kingmakers from all four divisions of the Tanyigbe Traditional Area continue to unanimously recognise and support Togbega Kodi Adiko VI as the legitimate Paramount Chief.
It therefore called on all parties to respect the judicial process and to refrain from actions or statements capable of undermining peace, unity, and public order within the area. Community members, development partners, state institutions, and the general public were urged to disregard what the Council described as misinformation and to continue engaging with the duly recognised Traditional Authority of Tanyigbe.
The statement further noted that under the leadership of Togbega Kodi Adiko VI, the Traditional Area has experienced sustained peace and recorded steady progress in community development, education, youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and peacebuilding.
The press release was signed by the Secretary of the Tanyigbe Traditional Council, Isaac Tawiah Gbortsu.
