Chiefs must be empowered to monitor govt projects
The Fiaga of Kpalime Traditional Area in the South–Dayi District of the Volta Region, Torgbui Adza Wiah Kwesi II, has suggested that chiefs should be allowed to monitor government projects and programmes being implemented in their communities.
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He said the measure could help minimise the level of corruption and excessive overhead cost incurred in projects within various communities in the country.
According to Torgbui Adza, chiefs had not been actively involved in the planning and execution of projects and programmes. He also said government projects and programmes must be transparent in terms of cost, execution and value for money.
He made the call at opening of a leadership seminar for chiefs and opinion leaders drawn from Kpalime, Kpeve and Tongor traditional areas in the South-Dayi District at Kpeve.
Cost of living
He said the outcry about the the high cost of living by a large section of the populace was a matter of concern since it could degenerate into stress and social tension. He, therefore, called on the government to review programmes and policies that were perceived to be unfriendly and impacting negatively on cost of living and living standards of citizens.
Leadership and cultural risk
Torgbui Adza also said as chiefs, they faced two key risks; leadership and cultural risks, and indicated that chiefs should be regarded as the most significant drivers of the cultural risk because the fear of something going wrong made chiefs feel the presence of leadership and cultural risk in every part of their personal and leadership life.
“As chiefs the awareness must form part of our beliefs and values as we manage people with varied ideologies, beliefs and expectations”, he said.
He added that behaviour, interaction and leadership styles were crucial and added that there was the need to treat others on the same magnitude, stressing that they should always remember that their verbal communication and body languages had a huge influence on community members.
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Management strategies
Torgbui Adza Wiah reminded participants of the need to be aware of the community’s position on social, economic, religious and political issues and advised them to adopt best practices or tested local management strategies to help maintain a peaceful environment and promote development in their communities.
Acknowledgement
In a speech read on his behalf to open the seminar which was themed, “Chieftaincy, the Law and Socio–Cultural Change”, the Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr Francis Ganyaglo, said chiefs were acknowledged for their responsibility in the day-to-day administration of their traditional areas which ultimately advanced the development of their people.
He also said their functions were still relevant in the maintenance of law and order, which was a prerequisite for the growth of the community and socio-economic advancement of their people, adding that chiefs must ensure that their citizens abide by the laws of the nation.
Obnoxious customs
Mr Ganyaglo also touched on the role of traditional leaders as vital channels of promoting cultural heritage, as well as determining the socio-cultural legacy of descendants, adding that they must work towards the eradication of questionable cultural practices such as banishment, female genital mutilation, trial by ordeal, abusive rites and rituals such as the “Trokosi” system.