TOGBI KPORKU III, THE DIPLOMATIC TRAILBLAZER

On the August 28, 1998, Togbi Kporku lll, Chief of Alakple was appointed by former President Jerry John Rawlings as Ghana's Ambassador to the Empire of Japan same as Ghana's High Commissioner to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. In an eulogy penned by Senam Doe, an indigene of Alakple and editor at The Third EyeGh, Senam write these few words in honour of Togbi's memory. Below are his words: "...The Epoch Of Alakple...Today, 28th day of August, 2023 marks exactly 25 years since that memorable honour done the late Togbi Kporku lll, Chief of Alakple as the Ghana's Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary to the Empire of Japan and with concurrent accreditation as Ghana's High Commissioner to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The venerable Togbi Kporku lll was appointed by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings with the primary aim of strengthening the bilateral relations between Ghana and other countries Togbi was to oversight. A responsibility which Togbi discharged immaculately with total dedication and dignity to the admiration of all and sundry.
As Ghana's Ambassador in Tokyo, Togbi Kporku devoted his energies to wholly promoting and protecting Ghana's interest, a cardinal principle of Ghana's foreign policy, in Japan, and ensured that the Ghana Embassy in Tokyo put its best foot forward in its interaction with the Japanese public. This earned the Embassy commendations from various quarters. The honour which brought the town, Alakple into the limelight, cannot be forgotten as it had indelibly marked Alakple on the national list of achievers for posterity. Togbi's appointment as a Diplomat, did not only benefited the nation Ghana, but many of his close associates, professional colleagues and his colleague chiefs have one way or the other stated openly, how Togbi assisted them with his rich diplomatic experiences he had acquired over the years. Endowed with mental acumen, Togbi would approach every issue, particularly, very threatening and delicate ones with absolute tact and diplomacy, a skills he had used to brokered peace among many communities in Anlo.
Togbi's appointment as a Diplomat, again, did not only benefited his hometown; adjoining communities also benefited as he led them to get most basic but important project for the Kome communities. His instrumentality for Kome communities to get portable drinking water and electricity cannot be underrated. Anlo-Kome Development Co-ordinating Council was formed under his chairmanship. The sole objective of this Council was to Co-ordinate common development programs in the Kome area and it had achieved a lot more common development for Kome area. Togbi as a human being, possessed some unique characteristics which many people admired him of. He was a very eloquent, an excellent engaging speaker whose communication skills always got him loud applauses when he had to deliver a speech at any social function, and parrhesia he was; he would say it as it was without fear or compromising on the truth - that was him.
Torgbi's command over the Queen's language laced with brain racking proverbs got many locally and internationally fascinated. We, the indigenes of Alakple, for that matter Kome, has lost a gem, a global icon, an astute leader, and shrewd personality. As we evoke and celebrate Torgbi's appointment as an Ambassador Extraordinaire to Japan and High Commissioner to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea today, it dawn on us as indigenes of Alakple to emulate the unblemished and stout lifestyle led by Torgbi, to fill the perceptible vacuum he left behind: academically, politically, socially and administratively..."
Togbi Kporku lll was installed as the Dufia of Alakple, in the Anlo Traditional Area,then under Keta District of the Volta Region of Ghana,on the 5th of April,1979,at age 29 and being the premier university graduate to be installed as a Divisional Chief in the entire Anlo Traditional Area. From that humble beginning, Togbi quickly adjusted himself to the chieftaincy responsibilities and become a very dynamic and highly knowledgeable chief to the administration of Kome and Anlo,and Ghana at large. Togbi Kporku lll ruled for 36 years as the Dufia of Alakple until his sudden demise on the 6th of November, 2015.

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