No government interference in chieftaincy affairs

Bolgatanga, May 28, GNA - The Minister of Interior Mr. Cletus Avoka, on Thursday refuted the allegation raised by NPP Presidential candidate for Election 2008, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was interfering in chieftaincy affairs.

The Minister said that Nana Akufo-Addo cited the granting of permission to the Regent of Yaa-Na to rehabilitate the Palace of the late Yaa-Na but that could not be interference in chieftaincy affairs. Mr. Avoka dispelled the allegation during the visit of President John Evans Atta Mills to Bolgatanga, as part of his tour of the Upper East Region.

He said that the Regent of Yaa-Na asked permission through the Yendi District Assembly, which was rooted to the Northern Regional Coordinating Council where the Regional Security Council and the Yendi District Security Council discussed the issue and accepted that the Palace of the Yaa-Na could be renovated since it was fast deteriorating. He said it was wrong for Nana Akufo-Addo to hold a press conference to accuse the National Democratic Congress (NDC), of interfering in chieftaincy affairs adding that it was a violation of the 1992 Constitution since the action was likely to incite the public. Mr. Avoka stated that the law courts where charged to handle wrong doing and anybody who felt that he or she had a case could go to court for the law to take its cause.

He said the NDC government had never and would never mingle in chieftaincy issues and that the law would not hesitate to deal with anybody who would disturb the order of the state. Mr. Avoka assured the people that security agencies would intensify efforts in dealing with cattle, sheep and goat rustlers and armed robbers in the region.

Lieutenant General Joseph Smith, Minister of Defence, said the election of Professor John Evans Atta Mills as President of Ghana was a right choice and asked the people to exercise restraint and allow government to roll out its good programmes and policies. He advised the youth to have a vision that could make them to become responsible future leaders.