Accra: Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), has made a strong appeal to the Legal Counsel of the Judicial Committees of the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs to expedite the handling of cases to reduce the number of chieftaincy cases in Ghana. Ghana is currently facing more than 500 chieftaincy cases, and delayed resolutions often worsen disputes within communities, highlighting the need for prompt adjudication.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister spoke at the conclusion of a two-day training workshop for the Legal Counsel of the Judicial Committees of the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs, held at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Accra. The workshop, organized by the MLGCRA in collaboration with the Judicial Training Institute, aimed to enhance the capacities of legal counsels in handling chieftaincy litigation, judicial review, and the application of chieftaincy procedure rules, among other skills.
Mr. Ibrahim emphasized the significance of the chieftaincy institution as the cornerstone of the traditional governance system in Ghana, responsible for maintaining peace, preserving cultural practices, and managing communal lands and resources. He highlighted the critical role of legal counsels as custodians of the legal framework governing the institution, ensuring fair dispute resolution and upholding customary laws. The Minister also stressed the importance of integrity and transparency in the adjudication process at the Judicial Committee level.
Mr. Ibrahim assured that the government acknowledges the vital role of the chieftaincy institution and is committed to supporting the Houses of Chiefs. He addressed concerns regarding outstanding payments to legal counsel, stating that measures are in place to address this issue. Additionally, disparities in the conditions of service among legal counsel and other legal professionals will be discussed in an upcoming workshop.
The Ministry has initiated capacity-building workshops for newly inaugurated Traditional Counsel members, with the first session conducted for the Teshie Traditional Counsel. The Minister reiterated the government's commitment to providing continuous capacity development for chiefs and staff within the institution. Furthermore, the government has recognized the low allowances paid to Paramount Chiefs and Queen mothers as a morale issue and is taking steps to enhance these allowances by the next quarter.
His Lordship Justice Amadu Tanko, Director of the Judicial Training Institute, urged the legal counsel to maintain integrity, fairness, and prioritize public interest in their duties. He emphasized the importance of their role in facilitating peaceful outcomes in traditional leadership conflicts and warned against monetary influences that could compromise justice and community trust.
