Tanyigbe Traditional Council inaugurated

The Tanyigbe Tradition Council in the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region was inaugurated at Tanyigbe-Atidze last Tuesday amid pomp and celebration.

This brings to 75 the number of traditional councils in the region.

The swearing-in of members of the council will, however, take place at a later date.

The Chief Registrar of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Nsiah Baafi, who performed the inaugural ceremony, said the traditional council marked a new era in the administration of chieftaincy in Tanyigbe.

“This should bring peace and development in the area,” he added.

Mr Baafi urged the chiefs and queens to lead the crusade against environmental degradation and poverty reduction in the communities, reminding them that the success of such a crusade required unity of the traditional rulers and the people.

He gave an assurance that the sector ministry was ready to support chiefs to train to build their capacities to perform their duties efficiently.

Registration

Mr Baafi highlighted the need to register chiefs in the traditional area as required by the Chieftaincy Act, to pave the way for the setting up of committees to help resolve all chieftaincy cases at the traditional council.

He cautioned communities to revere their chiefs, saying any act of disrespect to chiefs was an offence, which could send the offender to jail.

The Registrar at the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (VRHC), Harry Attipoe, said the traditional council was inaugurated for the benefit of all the people of Tanyigbe and not only some chiefs.

He said chieftaincy must not be confused with politics, adding that chiefs were enstooled and not voted for.

Amicable settlement

Mr Attipoe said unless a chief died, abdicated the stool, or was destooled through the proper means, he could not be replaced.  

He thus entreated the chiefs and people of Tanyigbe to take advantage of the traditional council to settle chieftaincy and other issues in their domain amicably, without going to the law courts.

“Litigation does not contribute to progress in the communities; legal fees can go into better development ventures,” he pointed out.

The Paramount Queen of Tanyigbe, Mama Klu-Adiko III, said the inauguration of the traditional council was a cause for joy in Tanyigbe, as it would give guidance and wisdom to the people and help them to uphold the values of their forebears.

She said preserving the traditions of Tanyigbe required unity among the people.

The Fiaga of Tanyigbe, Togbe Kodi Adiko VI, described the inauguration of the traditional council as a dream come true.