Remote causes of Peki Tsito conflicts

In reality it's a complex situation that cannot be explained off easily. Peki didn't exhibit flexibility or diplomacy in handling the affairs of those under its jurisdiction in its capacity as tax master for Akwamu and the British and even as King of Krepi. An elder of Togbe Tepreh Hodo reflected in pain , how their entire community tremble at the sound of the drum of Kwadzo Dei called *BREMPE*. The elder recall that Kwadzo Dei was so powerful that he could afford to send a delegation of three on the mission of collecting tax. He recollected that a simple delegation of the drummer , linguist and tax collector were rather a powerful team. When Brempe sounds at the outskirts of the town , the community shake with fear. It doesn't steem from the fact that they cannot satisfy Kwadzo Dei's demands. An able bodied youth conditionally would have to carry the tribute to Peki. He is lost forever. This and other events created a deeply rooted hatred for Peki. Awudome as the Benkumhene of Peki had their fair share of Pekis mode of Administration. They tried on many occasions to wean themselves out of the apron strings of Peki but with the British supporting Peki it was rather a tall order for them. The death of the Awudomehene at Peki was rather a painful event in their history. They had desperately tried to use it to gain their independence but it fell through. To make matters worse the intelligentsia of Tsito skewed the whole episode to gain public sympathy. The story they put up was their chief didn't commit suicide at Peki but was murdered. They claimed a six inches nail was driven through the brain of the chief. And was later on hanged. THIS compelled the Governor to institute the most powerful Commission of inquiry in the colonial history. Membership of the Commission included :- 1. Hon. Nana Ofori Atta , CBE Omanhene of Akim Abuakwa - Chairman 2. Hon. Nene E Kole , Konor of Manya Krobo 3. Hon. Nana FW Akuffo , Omanhene of Akwapim. 4. Togbe Sri II , Awomefia of Anlo 5. Nana Emmanuel Akoto Ababio , Omanhene of Akwamu 6. Nene Awah II Manche of Agomeda 7. Nene E Nuer Ologo V, Konor of Yilo Krobo 8. Nana Kweku Boateng Omanhene of New Juabeng. A powerfully loaded Commission. The commission came with its report the Awudomehene committed suicide but was not murdered. Despite the report of the eminent Commission as far back as 1926 , the people of Tsito intimated in a book written 1982 by the modern day brains of Tsito that Togbe Adae Kwasi VII , was murdered at Peki. The first report they made to DC Pringle was that the late Chief hanged himself because of the heavy fine imposed on him by Kwadzo Dei VII. It's later doctored to murder. How can a fine be imposed when the case was not even started. This illustrates a deeply rooted hatred. Peki basking in its glory of master of all it surveys , was complecent. The 1919 attack on innocent Peki Avetile citizens returning from fishing in the Tsawe River was not viewed as a security threat to Peki. It was laughed off just as *ade nu vi va*. Factors leading to the unprovoked attack was not in the least interrogated. The attempt to organize neighboring communities , as reported by chief of Akrofu to the Officer Commanding the British Forces dated 22nd February 1919 and the subsequent attack did not raised an alarm bell for Peki to make an in-depth analysis of the problem which suddenly erupted and even an attempt to find solutions. The follow up was the murder of Prince Kwadzo Kpo son of Deiga , in April 1925. The Prince of Wales visited the Gold Coast in 1925. Among high profile dignitaries that hosted him was the Deiga. Among the Deigas'entourage was a Awudome man from Tsibu. In his attempt to cross the road in Accra , he was knocked down by a vehicle and he died instantly. On their return from Accra , Prince Kwadzo Kpo and a police officer of the Deigas' palace were delegated to convey the sad news to the family at Tsibu. On their return from the errand , the Prince was waylaid and shot dead. Fortunately , a woman from Peki witnessed the sordid business and reported. The murderer was apprehended tried and condemn to death by hanging. Justice was seen to according to the courts ruling. In both instances , because justice seems to be done Peki relaxed and did not make a careful study of the underlying factors. The Peki Tsito land dispute was between individual land holders. Not between Peki and Tsito. In 1947 ,NK Agbo from Peki Avetile as plaintiff sued Kwao Kwamla per LD Akuvie and others from Tsito , claiming damages before the Native Court at Peki. The suit was transferred to the land court Accra , where it was heard before KA Akorsa. (to be continued) *Togbe Appiah Kwadzo VI* Ngoryifia of Peki