Rawlings On Chieftaincy

Somanya, (Easter Region) 8 Nov. President Jerry John Rawlings said today the government will not interfere in chieftaincy but will deal with people who fan chieftaincy disputes and disturb the peace. He said as far as the installation of chiefs is concerned, the government will not rpt not meddle in the proper nomination, selection and installation of any chief. ''However, we shall not spare anyone who is found to have been instrumental in disturbing the peace, order and development of any area by promoting chieftaincy disputes,'' the President said. President Rawlings was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Yilo Krobo traditional area at Somanya to mark this year's celebration of ''Kloyosikplemi'' festival. The festival, instituted in 1994, traces the history of the people up to the 18th century when their forefathers dwelt on the Krobo mountains. But in 1892, the British attacked them and forced them to descend onto the plains. ''Kloyosikplemi'' festival, which is celebrated with pomp and pageantry, thus commemorates this event. President Rawlings said while some youth associations in the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area are making significant contributions to the development of the area, others are being used for negative and divisive purposes. ''The true spirit of self-help and local initiative should not be tainted by personal ambition, trivial disagreements and factionalism''. He told the people that development projects being carried out in the area are on course. The Adenta-Somanya road is on course as is the road from Ashaiman roundabout to Akosombo. Work is also progressing on the road from Oterpkolu to Odumase-Krobo Junction while the road from Huhunya to Boti will also be tarred. The President said the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation has identified a plot of land at Somanya on which it would mount an antenna to improve television transmission at both Yilo and Manya