Chiefs want Alternative Dispute Resolution law amended
Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, on Tuesday called on the Constitutional Review Committee to make amendments to portions of the law that established the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism (ADRM).
He said that would help address defects in the ADRM approach and make it more enforceable.
Speaking at the first general meeting of the House in Sunyani, Osahene Aterkyi, who is the Paramount Chief of Kukuom, said in 2011 several attempts were made to settle cases pending before the Judicial Committee of the House by the use of the ADRM but to no avail.
“It is regrettable to note that after parties have been consulted, brought together for settlement and solutions concluded, in many cases they resorted to go back to courts again”, he stressed.
Osahene Aterkyi said the decisions under the mechanism were not enforceable and as a result, 30 per cent of cases, which were resolved under the mechanism last year, had gone back to the court.
He cited the Manje chieftaincy dispute as well as the Kwatwoma, Konkoma, Kadjeji stool affairs and said that this showed the defect in the ADRM approach, “which fails to make decisions arrived at the ADRM enforceable.”
Osahene Aterkyi said that this notwithstanding, the House would continue to use: “the mechanism this year, to help resolve some pending cases, that may be found to be straight forward to be handled by the ADRM.”
He appealed to chiefs to assist in ensuring violent-free election in December, by educating members of their communities to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts and political violence.
Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye – Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, expressed regret that chieftaincy cases and land disputes were drawing back the socio-economic development of the region.
He appealed to the House to facilitate the resolution of all the disputes pending before it, and to nib the emerging ones in the bud.
Mr. Nyamekye – Marfo said “the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in collaboration with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) will continue to play its mandated role of ensuring peace and security in the region.
“It is in the light of this that REGSEC is urging this House to heed the directive of the National Security Council and suspend the planned induction of three (3) new chiefs into the House until directed otherwise”, the Regional Minister emphasized.
“REGSEC is in touch with the National Security Council and will convey to Nana President and the House any further directive that may be issued in that regard.”
Mr. Nyamekye – Marfo appealed to the chiefs to support the National Festival of Arts and Culture 2012 to be hosted in the region to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the people.
Source: GNA