BASU calls for Chieftaincy Ministry

Sunyani Jan. 29 GNA- Brong Ahafo Students Union (BASU) on Thursday petitioned the Government to create a Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to deal with disputes in the institution.

Addressing a press conference in Sunyani, Mr Emmanuel Sarfo, President of the Union stated: "We all know that disputes are inimical to detractors and haters of peace and development, which cannot thrive in the midst of disputes".

He said the Union held the conference, under the theme, Curbing Chieftaincy Disputes, whose responsibility? Hoping that the disputes "inhibit the cultural and socio-economic development of our people".

The Union aims at fostering close relationship among all students of the region and other bodies, promoting education and fighting against illiteracy and ignorance, enhancing and promoting the cultural heritage for the prosperity and development of the region in particular and the nation as a whole.

Mr. Sarfo urged the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs to speed up the codification exercise to let every stool to compile the customary laws and lines of succession.

He explained that chieftaincy disputes "deter investors, draw back education, disunite the people by stifling communal activities and retards progress, prosperity and development of a country". There are about 49 chieftaincy disputes in the region.

Mr Sarfo expressed regret that chieftaincy disputes were caused and inflamed by chiefs, queen mothers and king makers, the youth, lawyers, the government and government officials.

Most of the chiefs manipulate their ways to become chiefs for their parochial interests, the Union President said and called on chiefs to make choices for the good of posterity.

Mr Sarfo stressed the need to avoid disputes, explaining that to achieve this one of the parties involved in a chieftaincy dispute must be willing to concede to the other.

He noted that some of the queen mothers and king makers in their bid to nominate and elect candidates for various stools refuse to follow laid down customary laws, giving room for manipulation to become the hall mark of the system.

Mr. Sarfo blamed the youth for their involvement in chieftaincy disputes, as some individuals for their personal preferences deceived them.

Some lawyers have made chieftaincy disputes a business enterprise and have continued to encourage disputes for their personal gains, he added.