Government increases Chiefs’ allowances by 100%

The government has increased by 100 per cent monthly allowances paid to paramount chiefs and queenmothers across the country, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has announced.

By this increment, paramount chiefs would now receive GHC1000.00 whiles queenmothers would also take home GHC800.00 as against GHC500.00 and GHC350.00 respectively that they used to receive.

Mr Dzamesi, who said this during a meeting with members of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs in Tamale on Tuesday, said the increment, which has already taken effect, was based on a condition that chieftaincy conflicts would be reduced in the country.

The meeting was held to inform the chiefs that steps to be made to create a new region out of the Northern Region would commence in due course.

It is the intention of government to create new regions from Western, Brong Ahafo, Volta and Northern Regions as part of efforts to bring government closer to the people and thereby accelerate development.

Mr Dzamesi said government has also increased by 100 per cent the sitting allowances (which vary in amounts at various traditional areas across the country) paid to paramount chiefs and queenmothers.

He said government was also working to ensure that in the next three years, every chief who was gazetted would be paid some allowances.

Mr Dzamesi said government was hopeful that this would bring an end to chieftaincy conflicts in the country adding that efforts are ongoing to ensure that annually, 40 per cent of all chieftaincy cases in the country would be resolved.

He said there were 352 chieftaincy cases when he assumed office but the figure has now increased to 356 saying efforts are being made to resolve such cases.

Mr Dzamesi called on traditional authorities to follow established procedures to resolve their differences saying nobody should hide behind the chieftaincy institution to commit crimes.

Mr Dan Botwe, Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, told the gathering that government’s move to create four new regions was based on numerous petitions it received from chiefs in the respective regions.

Mr Salifu Saeed, Northern Regional Minister, expressed need for all to support efforts to promote peace in the region to ensure development and progress.

Kpembiwura Dari Bismark Haruna, Paramount Chief of Kpembe Traditional Area, who chaired the meeting on behalf of the President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, expressed the desire of chiefs in the region for a new region to be created out of the Northern Region.

He also urged government to work hard to fulfill its promises to the people.