Ga State wants law on family heads before parliament

Tema, Feb 24, GNA - The Ga State Traditional Royal Heads Consultative Assembly (GSTRHCA) is to lay before parliament, a proposed bill on the establishment and regulation of the head of family system in the Ga state.

The bill, which would be laid before the house in March seeks to eliminate disputes among family members as well as chieftaincy conflicts in the Ga State.

Pastor Isaac Nii Kwartei, Coordinating Director of the Assembly disclosed this on Tuesday at Tema Manhean, during a public forum to educate residents on the proposed statutory head of family law. The forum was organized by the Assembly in conjunction with the Greater Accra Traditional Concerned Citizens Union. Pastor Kwartei said the law would enable the Union and the Assembly to register all family houses and their heads as well as define their traditional positions within the Ga state.

He stated that the proposed law also has provision for family members to be elected democratically, to head committees in the family, including education, health, funeral, arbitration, women and children committees.

The Coordinating Director further said family members would have the opportunity to advise the Member of Parliament for their constituency on the proper usage of the MP's Common Fund. Pastor Kwartei urged Gas to defend the rules and regulations of the Ga state as well as educate others on the Ga customs as part of their duties under the said law. Reverend Emmanuel Marbel, Chairman of the Management Committee of the GSTRHCA, said the Assembly and the Union would suggest to the appropriate authorities on behalf of the Ga State communities to collect revenue due them for the development of their traditional areas. Rev said three funds, the family, traditional community and Ga state traditional common funds would be created, to help develop the Ga communities.

Nii Markwei Marmah, Member of the Assembly in-charge of Teshie said it was the aim of the Assembly and the Union to unite the over 400 families in the Ga state.

He said with the exception of La, all family houses in Tema, Nungua, Teshie, Osu and Ga Manshie were in support of the proposed law, adding that, due to disputes in the families, the Ga people have lost most of their resources.

He said they would also ensure that schools located in the Ga state teach the Ga language.