House of Chiefs asked to dispose of disputes

Wa, June 10, GNA- Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister has appealed to the Regional House of Chiefs to settle all chieftaincy disputes brought before it on time to promote peace in the region.

He said delay in adjudication of disputes by the house was worrying, as members of the feuding factions sometimes take the law into their own hands and cause confusion in the communities that were found to have chieftaincy disputes. Mr Benson made the appeal, when he addressed members of the Regional House of Chiefs at its general meeting in Wa on Monday. He said he has been informed that there were five paramount and five divisional chieftaincy disputes currently pending before the house while two others were before the National House of Chiefs for determination

He therefore appealed to the chiefs to take a critical look into how best they could deal with the disputes and stem the surge to enhance development and progress of the people. Mr Benson said it was worrying for people to spend so much of their precious time, energy and resources in litigating on issues, which could be amicably resolved.

"I want to appeal to all contesting parties who are involved in chieftaincy disputes to give peace a chance and I also want to appeal to the Regional House of Chiefs to deal with matters before it with dispatch since justice delayed is justice denied", he said. Kuoru Kuri Buktie Limann IV, President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs told the Mr Benson that the Wa Chieftaincy case, which ended 2002, has bounced back to litigation since last year. He said five paramount skins: Wa, Pulima, Nadowli, Lawra and Bussie had been affected by chieftaincy litigation and these cases had been allotted to the Judicial Committee of the House for hearing and determination.

Kuoru Limann, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Gwollu Traditional area, urged those serving on the Judicial Committees of the House to live above reproach in their duties as judges. "Chiefs serving in this capacity should always as much as possible try to avoid the temptations of people, who have their cases pending before them, for your reputation and as well as that of the House are seriously at stake in the hearing and determination of cases. "By this, I am not saying that you should be enemies of litigants, but your dealings and interactions with litigants should end as soon as your court sitting is over", Kuoru Limann advised.

He urged chiefs sitting on Judicial Committee not to give cause for litigants to doubt their competence and integrity. On the December 7 polls, Kuoru Limann said chiefs were praying to God, for peaceful and orderly elections, to promote unity and progress in the country. 10 June 08