Minister laments chieftaincy disputes in Bono Region, says it is a bane to socio-economic development

Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, has expressed concern over the chieftaincy disputes plaguing the Bono Region, stating that this issue is a significant obstacle to the region's socio-economic development.

The Minister made these remarks during the first Regional Heads of Department meeting for 2024, held at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sunyani today.

The Minister noted that the situation has given both the District Security Council (DISEC) and Regional Security Council (REGSEC) sleepless nights during the past Christmas and Easter festivities. “For now, the Sampa Chieftaincy disputes stand tall among the rest. From June 2023 the disputes reached their peak resulting in intermittent clashes between the two gates which led to four deaths and injuries of various degrees”, she said. “As it stands, Sampa has two chiefs. To bring calm and peace to Sampa and its environs therefore, a curfew has been imposed on the Sampa community, needless to talk about the resources dissipated to cater for the ration of the security personnel deployed to maintain peace”, she added.

Madam Justina lamented that these disputes have not only drained resources from the Assembly that were intended for development but have also had a negative impact on the economic well-being of the region's residents.

She took the opportunity to urge the Regional House of Chiefs to promptly address and resolve all chieftaincy disputes before they escalate further.

Regarding the 2024 general elections, the Minister appealed to the public to be cautious and avoid engaging in any provocative speech or behavior that could incite violence. She emphasized the importance of maintaining peace for Ghana to continue being a model of democracy and peace in the West African sub-region, if not the whole of Africa.

She passionately urged members of the Regional Heads to work together to promote peace before, during, and after the elections.



MMDCEs, Directors, Regional Heads, Presiding Members