Assist in reducing chieftaincy disputes in B/A - Minister

Mr Eric Opoku, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister has appealed to traditional leaders and other stakeholders to make collaborative efforts towards the drastic reduction of chieftaincy disputes in the Region.

Mr. Opoku made the appeal when he addressed the 2015 first general meeting of the Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday, in Sunyani.

He noted that, chieftaincy disputes in the Region were somehow impeding the progress of affected communities, adding that, residents of the communities must unite and readily do something to support or complement government’s efforts for their rapid progress.

The Regional Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to make the Region’s road networks more motorable to facilitate speedy socio-economic development.

He urged the Traditional Authorities in the Region to allow sanity to prevail in their traditional areas to enable government to achieve its development objectives for the Region.

Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese V, the Paramount Chief of Yeji Traditional Area and President of the House of Chiefs, in a welcoming address, appealed to government to upgrade the Regional Hospital to the status of a Teaching Hospital.

He was of the hope that with the availability of the necessary tools and logistics, coupled with adequate qualified doctors and other para-medical staff, the Hospital could cater for more patients as it receives referral cases from all over the Region, he added.

He announced that the House had instituted measures to reduce the number of disputes to attract investors to establish businesses and create jobs for the youth in the region.

Pimampim Kagbrese said one such measure was an educational programme on “Peace Building and Judicial Processes” recently organised for some of the members on the theme, “The Role of Paramount Chiefs/Queen Mothers.” in Sunyani.

He described as “unfortunate” and “disappointing” a recent media report, that said, the Brong-Ahafo region topped in malpractices in the 2014 West African Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination (WASSSCE).

Pimampim Kagbrese suggested that, whilst there was the need for all stakeholders to make efforts to reverse the trend, the Regional Coordinating Council must also organise a forum involving all stakeholders to deliberate on the issue.