Deal decisively with chieftaincy disputes : Dr Daanaa

The Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr Seidu Daanaa, has challenged traditional leaders to deal decisively with chieftaincy disputes in their areas to avoid backlog of such cases at the national level.

He said the inability of such cases to be dealt with promptly had resulted, most of the time, in people deciding to take the law into their own hands to cause mayhem and destruction of properties.

Dr Daanaa made the observation at a durbar of chiefs and people and the inauguration of the Owirenkyeman Traditional Council at Assin Kushea in the Assin North Municipality of the Central Region.

This brings to a total of 34, the number of traditional councils in the Central Region.

Disputes
The minister said a total of 110 chieftaincy cases regarding the eligibility of some traditional leaders in the country were currently before the National House of Chiefs waiting for adjudication.

He said 39 cases were also pending at the Central Regional House of Chiefs waiting for determination by the Judicial Committee of the House.

The ceremony was also used to inaugurate an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) laboratory constructed by the chiefs and people of the area.

Development

Dr Daanaa explained that the number of disputes in the chieftaincy institution was stifling development in the areas experiencing such disputes in the country.

He said the situation had become more prevalent because of the desire of a number of people to be chiefs despite the fact that they were not qualified.

He urged those involved in chieftaincy disputes to use the appropriate channels and not to resort to arms and violence.

“Let me state here that the government does not enstool or destool chiefs but only partners the traditional authorities for the socio-economic development of the country.”

“The aim of the government is to strengthen the chieftaincy institution in accordance with the Chieftaincy Act,” he said.

Dr Daanaa further expressed the ministry’s commitment towards resourcing the newly inaugurated traditional council to enable members to discharge their duties effectively.

He urged members to discharge their mandate in accordance with laid down provisions without favouring any individual or group of persons.

He also urged the various traditional councils in the country to ensure that they worked towards settling immediately some of the cases pending before them to prevent the cases piling up at the regional and national houses of chiefs.

Education

The paramount chief of the Owirenkyeman Traditional Area and President of the Owirenkyeman Traditional Council, Ehunuabobrim Pra Agyensaim VI, in an address, stated that a total of 100 houses as well as junior high schools in the traditional area were being provided with solar panels for the generation of electricity and said the installation would be completed by March 6.

He called on all parents in the area to prioritise the education of their children since it was the best legacy they could bequeath to their children.

He explained that any parent who focused on investing in the purchase of cloth for funerals and other social engagements was only laying the foundation for hardship and poverty for the child.

Development

He reiterated their commitment as traditional council members in working tirelessly towards improving the socio-economic development of their communities.

The Vice-President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Asebu Traditional Area, Okatekyi Dr Amenfi, who was the chairman of the ceremony, explained that the role of the chieftaincy institution was crucial for national development.

He appealed to members of traditional councils not to allow monetary inducement to influence their decisions but discharge their duties based on justice, equality and through the fear of God.

Fact sheet

A total of 110 chieftaincy cases regarding the eligibility of some traditional leaders in the country are currently before the National House of Chiefs.