No room for Conflicts under Chieftaincy Act-Boafo

Bolgatanga, June 20, GNA- Mr. Samson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture Affairs, on Thursday said that there would not be room for chieftaincy conflicts under the Chieftaincy Act, which had been passed by Parliament and yet to received presidential assent. He said a research department under the Ministry would be tasked to codify all clan members qualified to be enskinned or enstolled as chiefs to curtail any problems associated with the chieftaincy institution. Mr. Boafo who was speaking at a meeting with members of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs at Bolgatanga, urged the chiefs to help find a lasting solution to the Bawku crisis. He said that Chieftaincy was a sacred institution, created by God and there would be conflicts if unqualified persons attempt to occupy stools or skins.

Mr. Boafo said the institution which had stood the test of time needed to be preserved and protected and cautioned chieftaincy contractors or people who were not qualified and want to become chiefs to desist from that practice since it would not help them. He urged the House to consider it as duty bound to strategize and suggest pragmatic solutions to the Bawku conflict. Mr. Boafo noted that as the custodian of the history and culture of the people, the House was the best body that could help to seek amicable solution to the problem in area. "You are the very persons who can solve your own problems and nobody else from somewhere since you live with the people and know the cause of the problem yourself", he stated. Mr. Boafo said that chieftaincy should be used to fight poverty and diseases instead of conflict, emphasizing that it was more rewarding to live in peace than conflict.

Concerning the Bawku crisis, Naba Sigri Bewong, acting President of the House, and paramount chief of the Sakote Traditional Area, in the Talensi Nabdam District, assured the Minister that the House would do everything possible to resolve the Bawku conflict. The acting President of the House appealed to the Minister to help address the problem of lack of staff and means of transportation for paramount chiefs to enhance their performance. Mr. Boafo assured the house of assistance and asked it to always liaise with the Ministry to ensure the observance of the cultural awareness week in every November, initiated by Government. He also urged the body to catalogue all festivals celebrated in the Region for placement on Ghana website to attract tourists and investors to generate more revenue for development.