Western Togoland secessionist group, Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) has alleged that Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, is a prominent patron and financier of the group’s activities, especially in years past. The group says the Minister of State has a longstanding reputation among them as a prominent financier of their organizational drive.
In an exclusive interview with Volta 1 TV in their ‘lair’ few hours after they had reportedly blocked multiple roads in the Volta region Friday, September 25, 2020 amid some uprising in the area, some founding members of the group accused the Regional Minister of hypocrisy and duplicity.
“We wish to send a clear signal to the Regional Minister to stay true to himself and quit his double standardness. It’s unfortunate that today he [Dr. Letsa] could turn around to persecute us, when not too long ago he was the one feeding us at our meetings! Just a few years ago, in 2014, he was the one providing us with refreshment anytime we went for our meetings,” the spokespersons said.
According to them, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa has been a major bankroller to the group for many years running, and so cannot come to terms with his public posturing in recent times. They bemoan what they describe as the shameless hypocrisy on the part of the Minister who, in his bid to paint a false picture of himself, pretends to abhor their [HSGF’s] cause
“Indeed he was a prominent figure in the group and was one of our major financiers. Not too long ago, each time we needed financial assistance with any of our activities, he was one of the most reliable patrons you could count on. Sadly though, a few years down the line after the NPP had assumed power, he began to gradually ease into a passive mode and has been inactive since then. And so even though as we speak he hasn’t officially communicated to us whether has opted out of our fold or not, suffice it to say that he has been unusually dormant and distant since becoming the Regional Minister; and if the constant harassment we face from the security outfit in the region coupled with his public posturing is anything to go by, it’s safe to assume that perhaps he wishes to be seen as someone unsympathetic towards our cause,” they added.
In a swift rebuttal, however, the PRO to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Foster Huno, said these claims are mere tall tales that have been told by the group several times without any proof of veracity. He has therefore urged the public to disregard the claims with all contempt deserving of same.
The group, meanwhile, said they had nothing against the Regional Minister and wished him no malice, but threatened to publish material evidence of his active involvement in their activities if he dared them.
“We dare Dr. Letsa to come out and tell us to our faces that what we say is untrue, and we shall publish material evidence of his generous financial assistance and donations to our cause over the years!” they dared.
