No specific mention of Awudome as a tribe, or ethnic group, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, there is a reference to disturbances "in the Awudome and Peki traditional areas of the Volta Region in connection with a land dispute between Tsito-Awudome and Peki-Avetile" (BBC 5 July 1986). The government stated that it had "instituted measures to curb acts of lawlessness and provocation" (ibid.) and in further information:

An executive instrument signed by the PNDC member responsible for the interior, Brigadier Mensah Wood, prohibits the manufacture, possession or carrying of any arms or ammunition or offensive weapon within the two traditional areas.

All persons resident there are advised to hand over any arms, ammunition or offensive weapons in their possession to the nearest police station. Carrying of arms into these areas is also prohibited. [Details of clashes since 1979.]

The Supreme Court finally ruled in July last year that the Tsitos are the land owners. That judgement should be respected by all parties concerned. However, since the judgement, there have been further acts of violence. . . According to the statement, between October 1979 and now, 11 persons from the Tsito side are reported to have been killed. No death has been reported from the Peki side. The rate of deliberate killings in the area has increased (?since) last February and the statement invites all citizens to cooperate with the security agencies in exercise to ensure speedy return of peace and tranquillity to the area (ibid.).

There are also references to a person who is from "the Volta Region, not far from the Tsito Awudome Tradtional Area" (ibid., 19 Mar. 1999), and "Tsawoenu-Awudome (Volta Region)" (Ghana Review International 29 June 1999).

On the Website of the International Studies Program of DePaul University, there is a reference to information from Ghana: A Country Study written by Berry LaVerle. LaVerle writes that one of several subdivisions of the Ewe are the Peki, located in the interior of Ghana (1995). A book by Birgit Meyer, Translating the Devil, concerns the emergence of Christianity among the Peki Ewe in Ghana (2000).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts [Accra, in English]. 9 July 1986. "West Africa: In Brief; Measure to Curb Land Dispute Clashes in Ghana's Volta Region." (NEXIS)

The Ghanaian Chronicle. 19 March 1999. Dr. Asebu Amenfi. "Gayheart Mensah for Times Editorial Chair is Real." http://www.africaonline.com.gh/chronicle/990319/page4a.htm [Accessed 11 July 2000]

Ghanaian Review International [London]. 29 June 1999. "One Identified in Tsawoenu Accident." http://www.mclglobal.com/History/Jun1999/29f1999/29f9n.html [Accessed 11 July 2000]

LaVerle, Berry. 1995. Ghana: A Country Study. http://www.depaul.edu/~rrotenbe/courses/i201/ghana/gc085.html [Accessed 11 July 2000]

Meyer, Birgit. 2000. Translating the Devil. http://www.oneworld.org/iai/pubs.html [Accessed 11 July 2000]

Africa Confidential. [London]. Biweekly. 1987.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. Monthly. January 1996 - April 2000.

Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 1996.

IRB databases

LEXIS-NEXIS

Nations Without States [Westport, Conneticut]. 1996.

REFWORLD

Resource Centre. Ghana country file. February - April 1996; February 1998 - July 2000.

State of the Peoples [Boston]. 1993.

World Directory of Minorities. 1997.

World News Connection (WNC)

Internet sites including:

Art & Life in Africa, Countries' and People's Resources

Center for World Indigenous Studies

Ethnologue: Languages of the World.

Ghana Review International [London]. January 1999 - July 2000.

International Work Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)

Joshua Project 2000

Minorities at Risk Project

United Nations, Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN).

Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization

Search engines including:

Africa OnLine

HotBot

OneWorld.net