Chiefs call for discussion of amended Chieftaincy Act

Sekondi. Dec. 20, GNA - Members of the Western Regional House of Chiefs have called on the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to give them the opportunity to make inputs to the newly amended Chieftaincy Act before it is passed into law.

They claimed that they have no idea about what the amended Act entails because neither were they consulted nor their views sought on the law that they would work with.

Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, the Paramount Chief of Nsein, said since the Act would regulate the affairs of Chiefs, it was proper that all the houses of chiefs were given an insight into it and offered the opportunity to make inputs.

Awulae Agyefi Kwame said majority of chiefs did not know the contents of the newly amended Chieftaincy Act 370 of 1971. He also called on the government to revive the Unit Committees and Area Councils, which he said were dead or had become dormant.

He said they are important structures under the local government concept and everything must be done to unsure that perform their function to enhance democracy.

Mr. Evans Amoah, the Western Regional Minister, stressed the need for chiefs to preserve the peace and harmony. He appealed for cooperation from chiefs to fight indiscipline that had engulfed the society.

Mr. Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, said chiefs were major stakeholders in governance and that there was the need for closer collaboration to find lasting solutions to problems of society.