Uganda delegation meets Deputy Chieftaincy Minister

A visiting delegation from the Bugwere Royal Kingdom in Uganda, led by its King, His Royal Majesty King Bishop John Chrysostom Wayabire, has paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Paul Ato Essien, at his office in Accra.

The delegation is in the country to familiarise itself with the Ghanaian system of governance, culture and traditions.

The five-member delegation arrived in the country on Monday, March 11, 2019 and have already visited the office of the President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, at Dodowa.

Visit

Receiving the delegation to his office, Mr Essien made note of the decades-long friendship that existed between Ghana and Uganda.

He commended the delegation for choosing Ghana as a case study to understand the role of chieftaincy in modern democratic dispensation.

The Ugandans were presented with Kente fabrics in symbolism of tradition and a book containing the rules and code of ethics on the chieftaincy institution in the country.

Addressing the group on the chieftaincy institution in the country, Mr Essien said the laws of Ghana recognised the title of paramount chief other than king and kingdom, adding that “Ghana has many paramount chiefs and beautiful cultures and traditions that determine the beliefs and custom of a person”.

He said chiefs were not politicians and were not to take part in activities that were likely to cause confusion and divisions in society. Chiefs, he said, were regarded as peace makers.

Party colours

He said even though chiefs were part of the governance system as they brought their rich ideas to bear on development but “they do not wear party colours on political platforms”.  

“Chiefs speak their minds and express themselves on issues of national concern,” he said and cited the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) as an example.

According to him, war on illegal mining was won because of the active role chiefs in the country played.

On the issue of religion, he said, the ministry was rolling out measures and policies to minimise the level of indiscipline and fraud among religious organisations in the country.

Acknowledgement

His Royal Majesty John Chrysostom said the visit was undertaken to learn from each other, particularly with regard to ways of resolving chieftaincy disputes.

“We believe that the visit would help us build on our traditions and improve our systems of government,” he said.

He lauded traditional leaders and religious bodies in the country through whose contributions Ghana was still living in peace.
 
He said God appointed traditional leaders and politicians and as such they ought to be treated with decency and respect and for them not to be seen as evil.