Kumasi: The government has announced its commitment to collaborate with chiefs and traditional leaders to foster peace and development nationwide. Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, emphasized the government's dedication to providing essential resources to judicial committees of national and regional houses of chiefs, as well as traditional councils. The aim is to resolve chieftaincy, land, and other disputes at the traditional level to ensure national peace and security.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ibrahim addressed members of the National House of Chiefs (NHC) during their first meeting of the year in Kumasi. He expressed the government's concern over the disputes plaguing the chieftaincy institution, which pose a threat to the country's peace and security. The government plans to collaborate closely with the NHC, regional houses of chiefs, and traditional councils to address these issues, thereby promoting peace and development across the nation.
Mr. Ibrahim also indicated that the Ministry intends to partner with traditional authorities to drive the necessary development for the populace. Additionally, the government is considering amending the Chieftaincy Act 2008 (Act 759) to restore the authority of chiefs to summon individuals before their traditional councils. This amendment would empower chiefs to address local issues such as illegal mining, land litigation, and others in their traditional courts.
Furthermore, the government is contemplating reviewing the allowances provided to chiefs, aiming to ensure they are comfortable while fulfilling their traditional duties. The Ministry will also work to strengthen the relationship between district assemblies and traditional councils to foster development and improve living conditions for the people.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the NHC, highlighted that the Ghanaian chieftaincy institution is not only a guardian of lands, traditions, and culture but also embodies modern professional, academic, leadership, and governance expertise. He called on the government to leverage this wealth of knowledge and appoint qualified chiefs to serve on boards where their expertise can contribute to national development.
Ogyeahoho Gyebi pledged the chieftaincy institution's support to the government in its efforts to combat the illegal mining menace, which has become a complex issue affecting the nation. He stressed the need for a well-thought-out and effective approach to address the problem, expressing the chiefs' concern about its impact and their willingness to collaborate with the government to find a solution.
