Chieftaincy Minister calls for co-operation to transform institution

Dr Henry Seidu Danaa, Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, has called for maximum support from the National House of Chiefs (NHC) as he pursues policies and programmes to transform the chieftaincy institution.

The Minister’s goal is to reinforce chieftaincy to discharge its traditional roles effectively in the modern governance system.

Dr Danaa, a former Director of Research at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, was addressing the NHC at its first general meeting for the year in Kumasi on Wednesday.

He said he had since assumption of office identified some key challenges facing the chiefs including low allowance payment, inadequate budget allocation, insufficient staff and the lack of training.

He also mentioned the need to pass legislation in respect of representation in the regional houses of chiefs.

Dr Danaa said he had already taken steps to address some of the challenges and that what was needed was the cooperation and support of all chiefs to enable him deliver.

Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa Professor John S. Nabila, President of the House, congratulated the Minister on his appointment and said given his long association with the institution of chieftaincy he was very much aware of the problems confronting it.

He encouraged him to continue to maintain his tactfulness and benign firmness as he worked to tackle the numerous chieftaincy problems.

He called on the regional houses of chiefs and traditional councils to set up mediation committees to resolve disputes to promote peace and development.

Naa Professor Nabila also urged the revival of dysfunctional judiciary to deal speedily with chieftaincy disputes to prevent social upheavals.

Source: GNA