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The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister designate, Mr Evans Opoku-Bobbie, has expressed concern about the high number of chieftaincy disputes in the region and called on the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs to expedite action to resolve the disputes to promote peace for the development of the area.

There were as many as 50 judicial cases pending before the house as of January 1, 2018, comprising 47 petitions and three appeals.

During the year, four more petitions and one appeal were filed, bringing the total number of cases to 55.

However, 12 out of the 55 petitions have been disposed of as of September 12, 2018, thereby reducing cases pending before the house to 43.

These came to light at the second 2018 general meeting of the house held in Sunyani last Thursday during which 17 members were absent because of cases pending against their eligibility or otherwise.

Anti-development

Addressing the house, Mr Opoku-Bobbie described such high chieftaincy disputes in the region as anti-development and called on the house to resolve to solve such problems within their ranks.

“We need peace since it is a pre-requisite to development”, he stated and informed the house that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) had been working around the clock to curb violence in certain parts of the region.

He referred to the frequent political violence at Sankore and stated that the law would deal ruthlessly with people who were bent on bringing chaos and confusion to thwart the government’s development efforts in the region.

Creation of new regions

For his part, the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, who is also the Omanhene of the Yeji Traditional Area, Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese V, said there was still much work to be done if people in the region wanted their dreams to be realised.

“It has been announced that there is going to be a referendum on this policy and the choice is ours to decide whether indeed we are in favour of the creation of the regions or not”, he said and entreated the chiefs to educate their subjects to vote “yes” during the referendum.

Swearing-in ceremony

During the meeting, the Omanhene of the Berekum Traditional Area, Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo, was sworn in as a new member of the house.

Even though he was installed about 18 years ago, a petition filed against his installation was finally decided in his favour by the Supreme Court, thereby paving the way for his admission into the house.