President Mahama has bemoaned the increasing spate of chieftaincy disputes in the country, saying the challenge has resulted in unnecessary strife and deepened political intolerance.
A series of chieftaincy disputes across the country have led to the death of several people and division among various ethnic groups.
“We are all aware of the chieftaincy disputes in many parts of our country. These events have resulted in unnecessary strife, leading to interactions in our social structure, while deepening political intolerance.”
The Bimbilla Chief, Naa Andasani and five others were murdered in clashes that hit the town in June.
Bawku, Nkonya among others have had curfews imposed in their towns for months as a result of cheiftaincy disputes.
The protracted conflict in Bawku in the Upper East region, compelled government to ask residents to surrender their guns in return for cash but only two residents however obeyed the directive.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Fy3v0l3ETuVIKsXoPtOWx9xvzaXiunQZ”]The National House of Chiefs also formulated a code of succession that will provide a framework for inheritance and forestall further clashes in the affected areas.
Speaking at the National Arts and Culture Festival in the Brong Ahafo region, President Mahama commended the decision by the National House of Chiefs for taking such a decision, saying “I wish therefore to commend the National House of Chiefs in writing a code of succession that will provide a framework for succession and codifying of the lives of succession and inheritance in all traditional areas across our country.”
“I hope this reform will progress steadily and when it is completed , I have no doubts that it will help to lead to peaceful transfer of royal authority from one chief to his successor and will help to build peaceful and stable communities in our country,” the President added.
President Mahama also urged participants at the gathering to build inter-ethinic relations, saying the decision will help promote oneness, unity and inclusiveness in Ghana’s cultural diversity.
According to him, ethnicity is “sadly misrepresented in our socio political environment to create rivalry, divisiveness among us.”
This, according to him, also diminishes Ghana’s cultural heritage and emphasizes our differences of our culture diversity.
Mahama therefore advised Ghanaians to see their cultural diversity as a unique platform for building Ghana’s synergy into a common force for good.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana