Help curb chieftaincy disputes - Veep

Jukwa (C/R), Nov. 19, GNA - The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, on Sunday called on Chiefs to use their positions to help stem chieftaincy and land disputes in the country.

He said the increased number of such litigations in the country was a threat and detrimental to the security and development of the nation. Alhaji Mahama made the call when he paid a courtesy call on Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, Omanhene of Denkyira traditional area at Jukwa near Cape Coast, as part of his three-days working visit to some parts of the Central Region.

The call was to wish the Omanhene speedy recovery and to inform him of his intention to context for the presidency on the ticket of the NPP in the 2008 general elections, as well as to ask for the blessing of the Omanhene.

Alhaji who commended Odeefuo Boa Amponsem for the rule he had played in the chieftaincy institution said the nation needed such chiefs to help mitigate chieftaincy and land disputes. He said, "As the land owners of the country, if the chieftaincy institution is not stable the country cannot get the requisite investors to come and invest in the country."

The Vice President underscored the role Denkyira in the history and development of the country and said the government would ensure that the area got its fair share of development projects, adding, "A lot has already been done for the people of Denkyira in the area of education". He said that the government was committed to the development of the country and explained that it was for this reason that a lot of interventions including the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), Capitation Grant and the school feeding programme has been put in place and gave the assurance that the Praso-Dunkwa-On-Offin and the Fosu-Praso roads would be tackled.

Alhaji Mahama challenged Ghanaians to co-exist peacefully, saying, "We are one people who believe in one God no matter ones religious background." and prayed for the speedy recovery of Odeefuo. He called on the Chiefs to pray for him to be elected as the flag bearer of the NPP and called on the delegates to endorse him since he was the right candidate to take over from President Kufuor to continue with the numerous projects, adding, "I have been a faithful apprentice to President Kufuor in the past seven years, I now want to be a master for I have learnt a lot in the seven years, and I know can confidently rule this country."

Nana Kwabena Henampong, Baamuhene of Denkyira traditional area, on behalf of Odeefuo Boa Amponsem thanked the Vice President for the visit and pledged their support.

He also commended the government for providing the area with a number of development projects including the tarring of the Jukwa town roads and the construction of school blocks and appealed for the upgrading of the Jukwa community clinic into a hospital, a bus for the Jukwa Secondary Technical School and the tarring of the Praso-Dunkwa-On-Offin road. 19 Nov 07