The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, has expressed worry over the increasing rate of chieftaincy, land and communal conflicts in the region, which he said impede the steady development of the region.
He disclosed that the region was currently bedevilled with 50 chieftaincy disputes, 47 of which are petitions with three other appeals pending before the judicial committee of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs (BARHCs).
[contextly_sidebar id=”c8bqTHVAKzo92qoHYa15qzT1SQxARagw”]The Minister, therefore, called for a holistic approach by the Brong Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council (BARCC), the House of Chiefs and other stakeholders to bring the number of disputes that have plagued the region, down to the bare minimum.
“Of particular concern to the BARCC and the BARHCs is the chieftaincy dispute at Portor near Kintampo where two lives were recently lost due to a dispute between two rival factions who pay allegiance differently to the Gonja Stool and Nkoranza Stool. Peace has been restored by the security agencies and the police are investigating to identify and bring the perpetrators to book,” he stated.
The Minister made this known in an address to members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Heads of Department/Agencies (HODs), Municipal/District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and Traditional Authorities. The meeting was aimed at sharing ideas and experiences to help in the implementation of the region’s developmental agenda.
Environmental degradation
He also noted that illegal mining was wreaking havoc on most productive farmlands in the region and said REGSEC, in collaboration with the MDCEs, were monitoring all galamsey-prone areas and will soon nip the menace in the bud.
On illegal lumbering, he disclosed the 13-member Police Taskforce established by REGSEC has so far impounded over 50 trucks.
He also appealed for collaboration between residents and the various security councils in their areas to share information for the effective and coordinated arrest of perpetrators.
He appealed to residents and petitioners in the region to fully cooperate with the Presidential Commission on the creation of new regions to discharge its duties in the interest of all and warned against using the siting of the capitals to forment trouble.
He highlighted governments flagship programmes and interventions and encouraged residents to take advantage of the initiatives to improve their standard of living.
The Minister said with relentless efforts from Donor Agencies, Heads of Department/Agencies, MDCEs, Private sector and Traditional Authorities in partnering the BARCC, the vision of the President to develop the country will soon be realized.
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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana