Traditionalist calls for abolishing of absentee chiefs system

Akim Oda (E/R), Dec 7, GNA - Nana Atta Kwaku II, Safohene of Adonten Division of the Akim Kotoku Traditional Area, has called for an end to installation of people who live abroad as chiefs because this promoted chieftaincy disputes.

He said chieftaincy disputes were not only impacting negatively on the socio-economic development but also causing a drain on the national coffers, especially when they escalated into conflicts.

Nana Atta Kwaku told the GNA in an interview that that the long absence of chiefs encouraged their subjects "to engage in all manner of activities." Such activities, he said, included hatching plans to de-stool such chiefs who live abroad and seldom came home to perform their functions, compelling their people to lose confidence in them. Nana Atta Kwaku called on the National House of Chiefs to abolish the installation of absentee chiefs since they did not contribute to the development of their traditional areas.

He said chieftaincy had come under criticism due to the numerous disputes that kept eroding its good image and appealed to traditional rulers to meet the basic needs and aspirations of their people in order to give true meaning to the chieftaincy institution. Nana Atta Kwaku said protracted chieftaincy disputes at Akim Kotoku had retarded progress in the traditional area and appealed to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs and the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to resolve the issue once and for all.

Nana Atta Kwaku called on people without royal lineage not to interfere in chieftaincy matters as their activities were disturbing the peace in the area.

He appealed to kingmakers to use the right procedures to elect chiefs, irrespective of one's social, economic and political standing. Nana Atta Kwaku said important communities in the area had no chiefs and appealed to the kingmakers to take measures to install chiefs in those communities to promote peace and unity. The communities include Akim Asene, Aboabo, Asuboa South, Osorase, Awisa Abenase and Anamase (Beposo). 7 Dec. 10