"Don't interfere in chieftaincy issues" politicians and Government officials urged

Nana Kwebu Ewusi VII, President of the Central Regional House of Chief on Monday expressed worry about what he termed, “interference” by some political leaders and Government officials in chieftaincy issues.

He noted that these unwanted political involvement compounds the existing problems and challenges in their traditional areas and cautioned chiefs against succumbing, but rather to remain neutral as the nation prepares to go to the polls in December.

Nana Ewusi expressed these sentiments at the second General Meeting of the Central Region House of Chiefs in Cape Coast, where he took the opportunity to also advise the media to refrain from using their medium to raise the political temperature in the country.

The Meeting deliberated on other issues concerning land administration, health, road safety and other developmental issues in the region, whilst some head of Departments briefed the House on their activities within the past year.

He asked the chiefs to use any available platform to educate their people, particularly the youth against engaging in any electoral malpractices.

Mr. Kortei Quainoo, Acting Deputy Director of the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDCOM), said the Commission had undertaken a number of projects in the various districts across the region.

They include the construction of boreholes, CHPS compounds, Information Communication Technology Centres, children’s library blocks and parks.

He said aside ensuring the development of the beneficiary districts, the projects have also enhanced the livelihood and incomes of the people and asked the chiefs for their support and commitment.

Okatakyie Amanfi, Vice President of the House and other chiefs advised CEDECOM to concentrate on major income generating activities that would ensure rapid development and also complete old projects before embarking on new ones.

They were unhappy that chiefs were sometimes left out in decisions of where to site projects and asked that they should be consulted and involved to enable them to partner CEDECOM to work together in harmony.

Mrs. Ruth Paintsil, the out-going Central Regional Director of the Commission on Stool Lands, briefed the chiefs about the Land Administration Project (LAP II) and stated that since customary lands support the livelihoods of majority of the population, their sustainable management was critical to the overall socio-economic development of the country.