Accra: The President of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Soglo Alloh IV, has expressed concern that the merger of the Chieftaincy Ministry with the Local Government Ministry may not augur well for the chieftaincy institution. Nana Alloh IV, the Paramount Chief of Likpe Traditional Council, noted that the Local Government Ministry is already large, and merging the two Ministries could lead to budgetary constraints for chieftaincy activities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Nana Alloh IV shared these concerns during an engagement with the Oti Regional Minister. He highlighted that some chiefs believed that both institutions are interconnected, while others thought the merger was sensible given their community-based activities. However, the President lamented the lack of clarity from the government regarding whether the Chieftaincy Ministry’s budget had been redirected to the Local Government Ministry.
Nana Alloh further expressed concern over the non-payment of allowances for chieftaincy activities, attributing it to the merger. He cited Article 270 of the Constitution, which establishes the Chieftaincy Ministry as a separate entity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its independence.
Mr. John Kwadwo Gyapong, the Oti Regional Minister, assured the chiefs that the government is committed to facilitating efforts towards making Chieftaincy custodians of culture and traditions. The Minister also mentioned the completion of the Regional House of Chiefs administration block as a priority. He explained that the project is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the chiefs in their roles and provide them with a functional platform to carry out their activities.
Mr. Gyapong told GNA that the meeting was fruitful, and he pledged to work closely with the chiefs and other stakeholders to promote peace and development in the region.
