Ishmael Ashitey (fifth right) in a pose with the chiefs
The President of the Osu Traditional Council, Nii Okwei Kinka Dawuona VI, has expressed worry over many unresolved Chieftaincy disputes that have rocked the Greater Accra region lately.
“As an institution which has the mandate of the ancestors and trust of the people, I strongly uphold that the time has come for holding such authority to part ways with factors that trigger these disputes and deal with them once and for all so that our people will go about their duties with relative peace,” he stressed.
Speaking at a durbar of Ga State Chiefs held in honour of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey at the Regional House of Chiefs at Dodowa on Friday, the Osu Mantse who is the president of the regional house of chiefs mentioned land and boundary issues as other recent crises which compound the situation “whilst at the same instance tearing our front apart.”
The traditional leader who did not mince words urged the Council of Kingmakers to maintain their status quo and insist on enstooling the candidate whose turn is due.
Nii Kinka Dowona called on politicians and other influential members of society to desist from interfering in the selection of Chiefs, as according to him, such interferences result in conflicts which also leads to wanton destruction of lives and property.
The Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey while lauding the Chiefs for the durbar also expressed worry about the pile up of unresolved chieftaincy disputes in the region adding that the situation has become a bother to the Regional Security Council and many well meaning Ghanaians.
He reiterated that the nomination and installation of Chiefs are the prerogatives of accredited kingmakers and the government in accordance with the 1992 constitution.
“It is therefore important that you uphold this dignity and justify the honour bestowed on you by the people of this country by refraining from acts which go against the spirit of the constitution and image of your noble and royal institution” he stated.
The Regional Minister who also addressed similar meeting at Shai Osuduku called on the Ga Mantse and people of Accra to remain calm in the wake of the provocations and be law abiding as the Regional Security Council in collaboration with the chiefs find lasting solution to these and other developments which pose security threat to the region.
By Solomon Ofori