Allowances to paramount chiefs and queenmothers to be increased – Dzamesi assures

Minister-designate for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Samuel Kofi Dzamesi says the current monthly stipend to paramount chiefs and queenmothers is inadequate. He says if given the nod he will lobby for an increase in the amount.

By a move began under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime, paramount chiefs receive GH¢500 as monthly allowance while queenmothers take GH¢350. “We believe that it is inadequate,” Mr Dzamesi said on Wednesday, February 8 when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament for his vetting.

He said he will make sure the increment is captured in the 2017 budget to be delivered next month. “But it all depends on the availability of funds,” he noted, stressing, however, that “we will try to increase that fund”.

Mr Dzamesi, a former Volta Region Minister, acknowledged the enormity of the task ahead of him, pointing out that he has 352 chieftaincy disputes to resolve. He said efforts have already begun underground to settle some of the disputes.