The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia to Ghana, Mr Paskal A.B. Rois, has appealed to the Chiefs and People of the Volta Region to maintain their calm and continue exemplifying kindness and a love for peace, as these are inherent attributes and cultural values of the region.
In a statement, Mr Rois, who himself hails from the Volta Region, acknowledged that the people of the region, including the Ewe community in Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, are renowned for their peaceful nature, hard work, and kindness.
The statement comes amidst the recent controversy involving Archbishop Dr Charles Agyinasare, the General Overseer of Perez Chapel International, and the elders of the Nogokpo Shrine, which has also affected the people of the Volta Region.
Mr Rois expressed his understanding of the emotions and reactions that have arisen due to the teachings, but he humbly urged everyone to let bygones be bygones.
He highlighted that the respected man of God has been married to a Ewe woman from Keta for over three decades and that they have even given their children Ewe names.
This, according to him, signifies the man's appreciation and respect for the good people of the Volta Region.
Archbishop Agyinasare has acknowledged his mistake and issued an unqualified apology to the chiefs and people of Nogokpo, as well as all Voltarians, and Mr Rois believes that this should be enough to heal the wounds.
Mr Rois also drew attention to the thought-provoking nature of the name ‘Nogokpo' and urged stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, CSOs, and philanthropists, to utilize the situation as an opportunity to focus on the development of the area, transforming it into a prominent tourist site in the country.
He pointed out that Nogokpo has several positive attributes that could showcase Ghana in a positive light, but it currently lacks essential facilities such as clean drinking water. He called on all individuals and organizations to come together and offer their support to the community.
Recognizing the Volta Region as a fast-growing tourist destination in the country, with attractions such as the Wli Waterfalls, Mountain Afadza, and Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Mr Rois urged the government and stakeholders to allocate more resources to these sites and other parts of the country that have the potential to generate revenue through tourism, as is done in foreign countries.
Mr Rois also proposed the establishment of a robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Nogokpo to provide basic computing skills training for children, preparing them for the global economy.
He called on religious groups and institutions to promote effective collaboration and dialogue among different religious practitioners, believers, and sects to ensure peaceful coexistence and regional development, which will consequently contribute to the overall development of the country.