Government Takes Steps to Address Chieftaincy Disputes

Recognising the negative effects of the high number of unresolved chieftaincy disputes across the country, Government has expressed its intention to train and sensitise chiefs and queen mothers on the provisions of the Chieftaincy Act 2008, Act 759.

This is to enable them to appreciate those provisions and refrain from acts and utterances that fuel chieftaincy disputes and conflicts and their attendant negative effects on peace and national development.

Mr Paul Essien, the Deputy Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, disclosed this when he joined the people of Asebu in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District of the Central Region to commemorate its 12th Apayamkese Festival at the weekend.

The Festival, which was on the theme; “Mobilising for Sustainable Development,” offered an opportunity for the Traditional Council to take account of its activities, identify the problems encountered and strategize to forge ahead in development.

Additionally, Mr Essien said the codification of lines of successions to stools and skins, among other initiatives being pursued, would help bring sanity and establish rightful successions and ultimately reduce the numerous chieftaincy disputes across the country.

In this regard, he implored chiefs and queen mothers to bring their inputs and contributions on board to make the project a success.

He noted that the demarcation of paramountcies was critical to national development and appealed to traditional authorities to make available data and information to help implement the programme to propel national development.

The Deputy Minister said the Government recognised the important role of the chieftaincy institution to the development of the country and, hence, would ensure that the institution was free from disputes.

Mr Essien noted that the “One District, One Factory, Planting for Food and Jobs” and many laudable government initiatives were aimed at human resource development, employment generation and improvement in the livelihood of the people.

He, therefore, called on the chiefs and people of Asebu to lend their support to those programmes to achieve the desirable impact on the society and the country as a whole.

Okatakyi Amenfi VII, the Omanhen of Asebu Traditional Area, complained about the deplorable state of roads linking the communities in the districts and appealed to the Government to fix them.

He also appealed for the upgrading of the only health facility in Moree to the status of a poly-clinic for it to serve the people better.

“There is the need to equip the CHPS compounds at Asebu to better serve the health needs of the people considering the central location of Asebu” he added.

Okatakyi Amenfi appealed to the Government to consider including Asebuman Senior High School on the list of Community Senior High Schools as it was in dire need of infrastructure as the number of students kept increasing.

Mr Kwamena Duncan, the Central Regional Minister, assured the people of the Government’s commitment to addressing their concerns.

He presented bottles of schnapps and other alcoholic drinks and cash of GH¢10,000.00 to the Traditional Council as Government’s support towards the celebration of the Festival.

Source: GNA