Need to develop effective interface between government and tradition – Regional Minister
Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Thursday stressed the need to develop an effective interface between government, cultural values and traditional institutions.
He explained that this would promote peace, good governance and international partnership for the country’s development.
“Unfortunately, chieftaincy institutions supposed to symbolise our cherished cultural heritage has entangled itself in litigations and disputes of family feuds at the expense of complementing efforts of government to find solutions to enhance living standards of the citizenry.”
Nii Ashietey made the call when he was handing-over the refurbished Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs to the chiefs and people in Greater Accra Region at Dodowa.
The refurbished house with 50 chairs, six conference tables, five table chairs, a carpet for the main hall and curtains for the offices and hall was estimated at GH¢45,000.
Available information indicated that since its construction in 1945, it has never been rehabilitated.
Nii Ashietey said it was important to recognise the role of traditional institutions and a balance between democratic practices and the traditional system of governance to achieve a harmonised system that would bring development for the people.
“We can modernise some of the cultural and traditional institutions without necessarily suppressing the cultural values which the people cherished. Government would also support the chieftaincy institution to make it relevant to the current trend of development in Ghana.”
He called on chiefs to resolve litigations pending before the House in order to fill vacant positions resulting from litigations over rightful occupants of stools.
“The trend of chieftaincy disputes in the Region has not changed for the better. It is our hope and prayer that the chiefs and elders will spend some time to fashion out ways of settling and addressing the many litigations before them,” he noted.
Nii Ashietey urged the House to embrace the Customary Law Project, which sought to codify customary laws in Ghana, compile customary laws and lines of succession to ensure stability, security and peace for national development.
He said the project when completed would ensure a prospective loyal lineage and candidates qualified to occupy stools and skins clearly identified and documented thereby eliminating disputes and conflicts associated with enstoolment and enskinment of chiefs in the country.
Nii Tetteh Atu II, Former President of Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, expressed appreciation for the immense support to the House.
He thanked government for responding to their plea although it took rather long, and appealed for assistance to complete the road leading to the House and acquisition of a standby generator.
Source: GNA