Three newly gazetted paramount chiefs in Eastern region have been inducted into the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
They are Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, and Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, the Paramount Chief of Akwamu Traditional Area.
They were sworn-in and inducted in a colourful traditional ceremony held during the General Meeting of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs Thursday, 20th October 2022 in Koforidua.
This brings the total membership of the Regional House to eight(8) out of the eleven (11) paramountcies in the region due to disputes.
President of Eastern Regional House of Chiefs Nene Sakite II, the Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area commended the House for working tirelessly to ensure the induction of the three paramount chiefs simultaneously, an achievement he described as historic and a first of its kind in the history of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
“This is a significant milestone we should all be proud of”.Nene SaKite II said.
He advised the new members to eschew any forms of vengeance to the people they perceived to be their adversaries during their enstoolment processes but rather extend a hand of reconciliation and unity to them and play a fatherly role in the discharge of their duties to facilitate development in unity.
He assured that the Regional House of Chiefs will continue to work around the clock to resolve all other outstanding chieftaincy disputes in the region to reduce it to the barest minimum to help maintain peace and unity to stimulate development.
“We have three more members to bring in; Yilo, Anum, and Akyem Kotoku.So the work is still not done yet but we will do our best to bring all of them in as soon as we can”
Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong congratulated the newly inducted paramount chiefs.
The Minister highlighted the importance of Chieftaincy institution in the growth and development of the country as enshrined in Article 274 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 9 of the chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) that it is to “Advise on matters relating to or affecting chieftaincy in the region; Adjudicate in matters relating to paramount stool or skin; Undertake a study and make general recommendations as are appropriate for the resolution or expeditious disposition of chieftaincy disputes in the region”
Seth Kwame Acheampong encouraged the House to fast-track resolution of the remaining disputes to ensure peace and stability in the region to enhance investor confidence to leverage tourism and mineral resources for development.
“Although, we have numerous natural resources which hypothetically make us very endowed, yet our inability to harness these potentials into lucrative job avenues is affecting the development and growth of our region,” he said.
He solicited support of the Regional House of Chiefs in the fight against illegal mining.
“As a region, with a lot of mineral deposits, we have been faced with the menace of galamsey to the extent that, there are allegations of the involvement of some traditional leaders. This is not the time to be pointing fingers or blaming others, but rather, let us embrace the change we envisage for our people by being the agents of change in our communities. If we want to see any change, let it begin with us, before it can trickle down to other areas. We are role models and we need to show the world by restoring the land and water ecology that we have allowed human activities to destroy”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah