Chiefs entreated to release land for 24-hour Economy markets
Traditional leaders have been entreated to make available strategic lands across the country for the establishment of 24-hour Economy markets.
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, said the markets would help minimise trading inconveniences and enhance accessibility for traders and customers.
Mr Ibrahim, who was speaking during a familiarisation visit to the Bono Regional House of Chiefs (BRHS) in Sunyani last Monday, said it had become necessary to appeal to the chiefs since they were the custodians of the land.
The minister said the chiefs’ partnership with the government would be critical to the successful implementation of the initiative.
Mr Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Banda, was in the house to solicit ideas, advice and support of the chiefs to help ensure the successful implementation of programmes of the government.
Allowance increment
Mr Ibrahim also said that the government had approved a 300 per cent increase in allowances for paramount chiefs and
queenmothers across the country.
He explained that the increment was to support in carrying out their traditional duties. The allowances had not been increased for the past eight years.
In addition, there had been a 67 per cent increase in adjudication allowance for traditional authorities to expedite the resolution of chieftaincy disputes.
"Effective April 1, 2026, the allocation will be increased from GH¢30,000 to GH¢50,000, representing a 67 per cent increase," the minister said.
He explained that the judicial committees play critical roles in settling cases, adding that the government had constituted a committee to review the current Chieftaincy Act.
The minister said the government had also intended to reintroduce the Palace Court, to support the fight against galamsey activities, while promoting communal labour and community development.
Appreciation
The President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, commended the government for rolling out the "Big Push" initiative.
He said under the programme, some critical roads in the region had received attention.
Osagyefo Agyemang Badu, however, expressed concern about the snail pace of work on some of the roads, particularly the Berekum-Sampa road, describing the road as critical in the region since it was connected to some major farming communities.
Sanitation
On sanitation, Osagyefo Agyemang Badu said some metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) had failed to manage sanitation, especially on the highways.
"If the assemblies cannot work to improve sanitation, the government should give the chiefs resources to handle the situation; chiefs can do it better than the assemblies," he said.
For his part, the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, thanked the chiefs for their continuous support to accelerate the development of the area.
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