Tapa-Abotoase gets new paramount chief

Tapa-Abotoase (V/R), Nov 25, GNA - Mr Sampson Kweku Boafo, Minister of State at the Chieftaincy and Culture Ministry, has appealed to chiefs and traditional councils to document heirs to thrones, codify customary laws and usage practices and submit them to the ministry for validation. He said this exercise would prevent unnecessary chieftaincy and land litigation and conflicts bedeviling chieftaincy and ward-off usurpers from fomenting trouble.

Mr Boafo said this in a speech read on his behalf at the installation of Okofrobuor Baffour Kwame Asante II, Omanhene of Tapa Traditional Area, at Tapa-Abotoase on Saturday. Okofrobuor Baffour Kwame Asante, known in private life as Lieutenant Commander Isaac Lawrence Anti Ampeh of the Ghana Navy, succeeded his late uncle, Ogrohwe Anyenam Kwaku Boateng II, who reigned from 1994 to 2006.

Mr Boafo appealed to the chiefs and elders of Tapa Traditional Area to collaborate with the Town and Country Planning Department to draw a development plan for the area, create and set aside land banks for easy access and usage by prospective investors interested in investing in the area.

He commended the kingmakers for the show of maturity, poise and unity that culminated in the peaceful selection and installation of Okofrobuor Baffour Kwame Asante. Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Minister of Railways and Habours, appealed to kingmakers to refrain from the emerging phenomenon of mortgaging traditional authority to usurpers or "outsiders" just for monetary gains and favours.

He said such conspiracy of mortgage to the "highest bidders" irrespective of qualification should be denounced because it was gaining notoriety and fomenting unending conflicts. Prof Ameyaw Akumfi said his ministry was concluding formalities for work to start on a boat-landing site at Tapa-Abotoase as soon as practicable.

Okofrobuor Baffour Kwame Asante congratulated all and sundry who made it possible for a smooth process leading to his installation and praised government for creating the Biakoye District.