New chieftaincy Act would regulate chieftaincy matters - Boafo

Senya Bereku (C/R) Aug. 24, GNA - Mr Sampson Kweku Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, has said that the new Chieftaincy Act 2008 would remove the element of "surprise" in the selection and enstoolment of chiefs and appropriately regulate the behaviours of all parties in chieftaincy matters.

It would also bring to an end frustrating deeds of chieftaincy contractors in the near future.

Mr Boafo said this in an address read for him at the celebration of the Akomase festival of the chiefs and people of Senya Bereku Traditional Area during which Nenyi Akondoh XI was outdoored as "Oma Ode Fey (Paramount Chief) of the traditional area.

Mr Boafo said under the Act anyone or group wishing to install a paramount chief or any other chief was required to give two weeks advance notice to the House of Chiefs.

He said, similarly anyone desiring to destool an existing chief must also give two weeks minimum notice before going ahead and appealed to the public to carefully study the Act.

He said: "Nenyi Akondoh is duly recognized by the National House of chiefs and the Ministry and is eligible and qualified to participate in all formal functions organized by the Central government, just like any other paramount chief in good standing".

Mr Boafo advised the Omanhene to seriously consider women in his plan to develop his traditional area since in recent times women had achieved tremendous heights in their chosen fields of endeavour. He said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is for those in the low income category as it was difficult for some people to mobilize sufficient funds at short notice to cater for their health needs, their children and dependants.

Mr Boafo said the NHIS had been established to address that need and urged the chiefs to educate their subjects to embrace it because of its usefulness.

He urged the people to assist the government to eradicate child-slavery from the society.

Mr Boafo said the children were taken from their parents through deceit and made to work long hours in hazardous conditions on farms, rivers and mines thus jeopardizing their health and education.

He said all cases of child-labour, child prostitution and other forms of ill treatment to children must be promptly reported to the police for urgent action.

Nenyi Akondoh called for peace in the area to enhance its rapid development, adding that no development could take place without peace.