Six more Western Togoland secessionists convicted, 4 others freed

In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Western Togoland Restoration Front, also known as the Volta Secessionists, six individuals have been found guilty after a rigorous two-year trial, while four others were acquitted and discharged.

The six convicted individuals, namely Gabriel Gorvinoa, Cephas Zodanu, Benjamin Gbadado, Richard Doglo Ametepe, Cosmos Favor, and Vincent Ramsayer Atsu Galey, are now awaiting their sentencing, which has been deferred to November 1. On the other hand, John Gbedemah, Godwin Awudza, Excel Liberty Aheto, and Devine Nyadzinyo were cleared of all charges after a full trial.

The Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra, under the jurisdiction of Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, has postponed the sentencing of the convicted individuals to November 1, 2023.

Following their conviction, the bail conditions for Cosmos Havor and Gabriel Govina Godfrey have been revoked. They, along with their fellow convicts, will remain in custody until their punishment is determined in November.

The charges against these individuals included being members of a prohibited organization, attending meetings of a prohibited organization, and accepting contributions from a prohibited organization. The prosecution successfully demonstrated the guilt of six out of the ten accused, leading to their conviction, while the remaining four individuals were acquitted.

also read: Effects of the First World War on Ghana and the Togoland (ghanaeducation.org)

This latest legal outcome brings the total number of individuals punished in connection with the Western Togoland Restoration Front to 17. This number includes the five individuals jailed on March 21 and the six individuals imprisoned on June 27 earlier this year. The convictions reflect the Ghanaian government’s firm stance on maintaining national unity and territorial integrity.

The Western Togoland secessionist movement has been a contentious issue, with some advocating for autonomy, while the government asserts its commitment to maintaining Ghana’s territorial boundaries as established during its independence. The legal proceedings have been closely monitored, and the latest verdict will likely provoke varied responses from the public and political commentators alike.

As the nation waits for the upcoming sentencing of the convicted individuals, the Western Togoland issue continues to be a subject of national importance, emphasizing the delicate balance between preserving national unity and addressing demands for regional autonomy.

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