House of Chiefs to submit LIs on succession to 21 paramount stools

Accra, June 9, GNA - The National House Chiefs (NHC) on Tuesday announced that it would submit to government draft Legislative Instruments (LIs) in respect of customary declarations that relate to succession to 21 paramount stools or stools.

This is because of the constant violent conflicts over chieftaincy, land and other local disagreements that afflict the country. In a statement signed by Wulugu Naba Naa Professor John S. Nabila, President of the NHC, he appealed to chiefs, royals and stakeholders to exercise caution and restraint in order not to disturb the peace. "The latest shooting incident which occurred in Bawku, supposedly unrelated to the existing chieftaincy disputes, only a day after the President of the Republic had personally called upon the rival chieftaincy factions to bury the hatchet, should not happen again in the country," the statement said.

The NHC therefore called on the security agencies "to act swiftly, fairly and firmly" in dealing with troublemakers. It said the house condemned attempts to resolve chieftaincy disputes by violent means saying such issues should be resolved by reference to the National House of Chiefs. The NHC advised all groups in chieftaincy disputes to exercise patience and restraint even in the face of provocation to allow time for the house and government to take steps to ensure justice and peaceful co-existence among their various groups.