President Akufo-Addo
The electorate have been assured that the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo gave the assurance when he addressed the newly constituted Bono Regional House of Chiefs in Sunyani yesterday.
He said Ghana “has rightly earned a reputation as the pacesetter in democratic governance on the continent, a reputation I am determined to uphold, and, indeed, enhance prior to, during and after the 7th December elections.”
“Wholehearted efforts are going to be made by my Government and I to ensure the peace and stability of the nation, as we enter the last three months of the electioneering campaign,” he assured the House.
To this end, he appealed for the full co-operation of the chiefs, adding: “We all have to work together to create the environment that will allow the Ghanaian people to make their decision on 7th December in freedom, peace and security. It is their right.”
While recognising the indispensable role played by chiefs in the history and development of Ghana, he explained that ever since his Government assumed office in January 2017, a lot of steps have been taken to strengthen the institution of chieftaincy.
These include a 100 per cent increase in the quarterly budgetary support to the Traditional Councils and Houses of Chiefs, and a GH¢3.5 million support for the completion of the new headquarters office complex of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi.
President Akufo-Addo also indicated the commitment of Government to moving speedily to finish work on the codification of the traditional norms and rules that have guided communities throughout the ages.
“The Ministry, in collaboration with the National House of Chiefs, has also begun the process of digitising records of the National House of Chiefs, particularly records in the National Register of Chiefs,” he added
Chieftaincy disputes
Towards addressing the challenges of chieftaincy disputes, President Akufo-Addo revealed further: “Government, through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has arranged to provide the funds that will increase the number of sittings of Judicial Committees of Regional Houses to hasten the adjudication of pending issues, in order to bring closure to many outstanding disputes that continue to generate tension.”
Again, to reduce conflicts and establish areas of customary jurisdiction and allegiance, the Chieftaincy Ministry, working with the National House of Chiefs, has delineated traditional areas of paramouncies.
The President therefore appealed to the chiefs to help Government in streamlining the administration of lands in the country to ensure an efficient and well-functioning regime of titling, fixing of boundaries and ownership tracing.
“The Chieftaincy Ministry has also instituted a programme to have courses in chieftaincy development, comprising lectures, seminars and other activities, aimed at building the capacity of chiefs and all persons with interests in the chieftaincy institution. I applaud this initiative,” he added.
Massive infrastructure
The President also gave an account of the principal activities being undertaken by his Government in the Bono Region since he assumed office.
“There are 817 projects being executed in the Region, with 418 completed, and the remaining 399 ongoing. Out of the 418 completed projects, 133 are in the educational sector, 43 in the health sector, 23 in the roads sector, and 128 in the water and sanitation sector,” he stated.
According to President Akufo-Addo, as part of Government’s Agenda 111, which seeks to build district hospitals in districts without hospitals Government will construct district hospitals in the three districts in the region without one.
“They are Sunyani West, Berekum West and Dormaa. The hospitals will have a 100-bed capacity, fully equipped, with appropriate accommodation for medical personnel, i.e. doctors and staff,” he said.
Four more
Against the background of the massive development undertaken by his government, the President called on the chiefs for their support in the upcoming elections, saying: “With four more for Nana and the NPP, we will do even more for you.”
With respect to the newly created Regional Houses of Chiefs, and, indeed, to all the Houses of Chiefs across the country, the President assured that Government would continue to support the chieftaincy institution to make it strong and resilient.
“Six new office complex and bungalows would be provided the six new Regional Houses of Chiefs. Additionally, as I have said, we would strive to give to the institution the requisite support to resolve chieftaincy matters, and carry out research in the many areas of relevance to curb chieftaincy related conflicts,” he added
Source: dailystatesman.com.gh
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