Some of the aggrieved chiefs at the palace of the Paramount Chief in Tatale

Tatale chiefs boycott Independence Day celebration

Samuel Duodu Mar - 06 - 2018 , 15:50 2 minutes read

The chiefs and elders of Tatale-Sanguli Traditional Area in the Northern Region Tuesday boycotted the 61st Independence Day Anniversary celebration in the area, over an alleged disrespect for the traditional authority by their District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Thomas Mbomba.

The chiefs have alleged that Mr Mbomba has failed to involve them in the governance process of the area and has even turned down their request to meet him and dialogue on issues pertaining to development in the district.

About 35 chiefs and elders in the Traditional Area Tuesday failed to attend the 6th March parade to which they were officially invited and instead gathered at the Paramount chief's palace in protest of the alleged misconduct of the DCE.

Paramount chief of the area, Obori Gariba Yenkoso II

The Paramount chief of the area, Obori Gariba Yenkoso II in an interview with Graphic Online said the lack of cooperation between the chiefs and the DCE was negatively affecting the development of the area.

"In fact the DCE doesn't consult the Traditional Authority on matters concerning the Assembly. Even he doesn't pick my calls, I have called him several times but he doesn't pick. Some DCEs elsewhere are consulting their chiefs about the One Village One Dam project, but our DCE has never consulted us," he lamented.

He called on President Akufo-Addo to intervene and resolve the impasse to promote peace and development in the district.

DCE’s reaction

However, the DCE has debunked the claims that he was not in good relations with the chiefs and elders, indicating that he had met them on several occasions to deliberate on issues regarding development of the area.

Mr Thomas Mbomba, DCE for Tatale-Sanguli

He described the boycott of the 61st Independence Day celebration by the chiefs as unfortunate, adding that the chiefs could have attended the event, which was national in character and used the occasion to meet with him to address their grievances.

Independence Day parade

Meanwhile, the parade to mark the 61st Independence Day Anniversary in the district took place with a total of 860 pupils and students drawn from both public and private schools participating in the exercise.