Catholic Archdiocese of Accra inaugurates chiefs, queenmothers association
The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has inaugurated an association of Chiefs and Queenmothers who are Roman Catholics.
The aim of the association is to influence positive changes in the chieftaincy institution and deal with traditional practices inimical to the values of the church.
The interim president of the association is Sir Ambassador Sylvester Parker Allotey, with the Paramount Queenmother of Akposo-Kubi Traditional Area, Inaakika Emiaboe Izeoledu III, as Vice President.
Other executive members of the association are Nana Obonbo Sewura Lupuwura II, Paramount Chief of Akyode, Secretary; Nana Adwoa Asiaa Benneh Beyeeman, Dwantoa Hemaa of Akyem Abuakwa, Treasurer; Nana Dr Atikoasere Oteng-Boadu, Gyaasehene of Mamfe Akuapem and Kyidomman, Executive Member, and Dr George Baah Danquah, Accra Laity Council representative.
The inauguration took place at the St John the Baptist Parish, Odorkor-Tipper, in Accra last Sunday, with the Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, the Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, presiding.
Advice
Most Rev. Asare advised the chiefs and queenmothers to respect the chieftaincy institution and focus on addressing the development needs of communities while enforcing discipline in their jurisdictions.
He noted that respect for the chieftaincy institution was dwindling because some traditional leaders had turned their roles into politics, while others used subtle means to become chiefs.
" If you are not a chief and you call yourself a chief, people will not respect you," he stressed.
Most Rev. Asare charged the traditional rulers to ensure that the association served its purpose and encouraged the members to use that as a platform to educate people about leadership and culture.
He also implored them to share the challenges concerning their faith and how to ensure that their Christian faith had a bearing on leadership.
Chieftaincy for Christ
The association’s interim president, Sir Ambassador Allotey, said it was time to bring Christ to the Chieftaincy institution, thus, he urged chiefs and queenmothers to protect and save lives.
The Chairman of the Accra Archdiocesan Laity Council, Timothy Sowah, said the association was open to Catholic chiefs and queenmothers resident in Accra.
He said the association currently had 35 members and urged traditional rulers to encourage other traditional leaders in Accra who were Roman Catholics to join the association to promote their welfare.