Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah flanked by his Ranking Member and Deputy
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture, and Religious Affairs, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, has underscored the critical role of chieftaincy, culture, and religion in national development.
According to him, these elements have helped in shaping the country’s progress since independence.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Committee in Parliament, Dr. Asamoah, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso North, pointed out that many advanced nations have successfully developed by prioritising their cultural heritage and traditional institutions.
“Most advanced countries have been able to do it because they paid particular attention to their culture, their traditional leaders, and religious issues,” Dr. Asamoah stated.
He cited the Asian region as an example of a continent that has effectively harnessed its cultural values for development.
Dr. Asamoah commended Parliament for establishing this specialised committee under newly agreed standing orders, stressing that it would focus on the often-overlooked but highly significant role of chieftaincy in national affairs.
“We know this is a very sensitive issue, often silent, but it has a huge role to play in our national development. This committee will not be a quiet or dormant one; we have committed members ready to work,” he assured.
The 17-member committee consists of a chairperson, vice chairperson, ranking and deputy ranking members, and 13 other dedicated members, including female representatives.
Their mandate extends beyond parliamentary oversight to making substantial contributions to Ghana’s progress.
Dr. Asamoah pointed to challenges such as youth migration in search of sustainable livelihoods and conflicts arising from chieftaincy, cultural, and religious disputes, which sometimes result in loss of life.
He called for proactive measures to address these issues through legislative and policy frameworks.
“It is disheartening to see young ones leave the country for better opportunities or witness disputes related to religion, culture, and chieftaincy lead to the loss of Ghanaian lives,” he stated.
Dr. Asamoah reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to making a meaningful impact, expressing optimism that by the end of their four-year term, their work would yield positive outcomes for the nation.
Ranking Member of the Committee, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, emphasised that the committee would not be an armchair committee but would actively support religious and traditional leaders in promoting the country’s culture for the benefit of all.
She explained that the committee would take it upon itself to travel across the country, engaging with traditional and religious leaders, organisations, and ordinary citizens to encourage them to embrace and promote Ghanaian culture for national development.
“Ghana is a country of diverse religions where Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, and others coexist without challenges. Based on that, the committee is going to help improve and promote such a beautiful and unique culture for ourselves and unborn generations,” she concluded.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House