The Eastern Regional branch of the National Peace Council has engaged traditional authorities in the Aburi Adonten Division, as part of efforts to strengthen their capacity in alternative dispute resolution and promote sustainable peace.
The engagement, held through a capacity-building workshop for chiefs and Queen Mothers, sought to equip traditional leaders with the skills needed to resolve disputes fairly and effectively within their communities.
Chairman of the Eastern Regional Peace Council, Prof. Mark Boadu, said the engagement was aimed at enhancing the capacity of traditional authorities to ensure fairness and due process when handling disputes.
He said the initiative would promote the principles of natural justice and help traditional leaders avoid conflicts of interest in customary arbitration.
Speaking at the Presbyterian Women’s Training College, Prof. Boadu urged chiefs and Queen Mothers to uphold high standards of integrity and fairness in the discharge of their traditional and customary responsibilities.
He expressed the expectation that closer engagement with traditional authorities would strengthen community harmony and contribute to reducing chieftaincy-related conflicts.
The National ADR Coordinator, Mr Alex Nartey, said the increasing incidence of chieftaincy and land disputes in the Eastern Region underscored the need to strengthen traditional governance structures.
He said the capacity-building programme was therefore designed to help traditional authorities improve their dispute-resolution mechanisms, promote harmony and rebuild public confidence in customary institutions.
Mr Nartey encouraged traditional leaders to continuously upgrade their governance systems so that residents would have greater confidence in reporting disputes to chiefs for peaceful resolution.
The engagement forms part of efforts by the Peace Council to strengthen collaboration with traditional authorities and promote peaceful and sustainable communities.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Akosua Asabea Kropa
