National House of Chiefs researched into lines of succession

Kumasi, Sept 17, GNA - The National House of Chiefs had undertaken research into lines of succession in 90 out of the 193 traditional areas to help prevent chieftaincy disputes.

Odeneho Gyapong Ababio, President of the House, who announced this at a meeting of the House in Kumasi on Friday, said members had initiated programmes within its mandate to modernise the chieftaincy institution and was also striving to preserve the country's rich cultural heritage.

He said: "It is now clear that the institution of chieftaincy can and should play a positive role in ensuring development and good governance in our society".

Odeneho Ababio said chiefs were uniting and mobilising the people for development to reduce poverty and improve on standards of living. He appealed to the Government to increase allowances paid to chiefs and the quarterly grant of 125,000 cedis to the traditional councils. Odeneho Ababio also requested the authorities to review royalties paid to traditional areas, build a modern secretariat for the House and provide vehicles for each of the 10 Regional Houses of Chiefs to facilitate their work.

He said the House would support all efforts aimed at ensuring peaceful, fair and violent-free elections.