Three paramount chiefs in Eastern region duly gazetted have been inducted into the Regional House of Chiefs at a colourful traditional ceremony held during the General Meeting of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs Thursday, 20th October, 2022 in Koforidua.
They are Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, the Paramount Chief of Akuapem Traditional Area; Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, the Paramount Chief of New Juaben Traditional Area; and Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, the Paramount Chief of Akwamu Traditional Area.
These bring the total membership of the house to eight(8) out of the eleven (11) paramountcies in the region due to disputes in three other traditional areas
The Chiefs sworn three oaths before their induction.
President of the House, Nene Sakite II, who is Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area commended the house for commitment to duty in facilitating the induction of the three paramount chiefs simultaneously.
He described as a milestone in the history of the house.
Nene SaKite II urged the new members to eschew vengeance to the people they perceived to be their adversaries promote unity and play a fatherly role to everyone.
He, therefore, called on the members to continue to work hard to resolve the chieftaincy disputes in Yilo, Animal and Akyem Kotoku traditional areas to bring finality to the disputes to bring the paramount chiefs onboard.
Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong expressed excitement for the induction of the three paramount chiefs.
Highlighting the importance of Chiefs to the growth and development of the country, he indicated that the functions of Traditional Rulers as embedded in Article 274 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 9 of the chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) was 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” were difficult task that cannot be underestimated.
He encouraged the House to see to the resolution of the remaining disputes to ensure peace and stability in the region, adding that chieftaincy disputes only derail the efforts in prosecuting the national development agenda. “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 stressed.
Hon.Seth Kwame Acheampong appealed to the Chiefs to support government’s efforts in the fight against illegal miming; restoring the land and water ecology for the benefits of both the current generation and the future generations.
“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” the Minister appealed.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
