... for late start of programme before accepting to chair proceedings

Ho, April 26, GNA-Togbega Gabusu the VI, President to of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday refused to accept an offer to chair the opening ceremony of a local governance seminar in Ho until its organizers apologized for the late start of the programme.

Togbega Gabusu, after his introduction as chairman insisted that the organizers apologized and pacified chiefs, core participants in the seminar who had been waiting for two hours, or he got up from the chairman's seat.

The two-day seminar was on the interface between Traditional Authorities and Local Governing Institutions in the Volta Region and was under the aegis of the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Environment.

"The programme was to start at 0900 hours and I believe Local Government time is none different from the GMT," said Togbe Gabusu, who is also Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area stated. He expressed concern about the bad attitude to time among Ghanaians, observing and that people had often embarrassed chiefs with accusations of not adhering to time but today "we came here and waited for you".

Mr. Paul Adjei, Programme Coordinator, apologized, saying the delay was not intentional and also accepted to pacify the chiefs. The seminar which was also attended by District Chief Executives (DCEs) was to build bridges, foster consultation, collaboration between the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and traditional authorities to facilitate the implementation of the decentralized programme.

Mr. Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister who opened the seminar said the programme was timely to tackle conflicts between traditional rulers and local government officials.

He said because of their clout in the traditional setup; traditional rulers were vital cogs in the local government machinery. " They hold the key to effective community mobilization and have played very important roles in peace building and social cohesion," Mr. Dzamesi stated.

Mr. Evans Ocrah, a Management Consultant and a Resource person said people with the adequate skills and commitment should take and implement strategic decision to run district assemblies.

Topics treated at the seminar include, the role of chieftaincy in the on-going land administration and management reforms and options for capacity building for authorities in local governance and decentralized management of poverty reduction. 26 April 07