Dzamesi tells chiefs to help resolve disputes
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, has urged traditional rulers to prevent chieftaincy disputes.
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He said a number of interventions had been put in place by the government with the aim of improving the lives of the people.
He said the plans would, however, not achieve the desired results if chiefs who were leaders in their communities were not at peace with their people.
He stated that at the moment there were 352 chieftaincy disputes filed with the ministry.
Mr Dzamesi, therefore, called on the traditional areas embroiled in disagreements to have them settled amicably as soon as possible in order to pave the way for progress and development in their communities.
He made these assertions when he addressed the chiefs and elders of the Aowin, Suaman and Gwira traditional areas at separate ceremonies, when he undertook an assessment tour of some areas in the Western Region noted for illegal mining activities.
Illegal mining
He urged the chiefs to assist the government in its efforts to clamp down on illegal mining because besides destroying water bodies, chemicals used in the activity were harmful to humans.
Mr Dzamesi expressed his happiness with efforts the three traditional rulers were making to check illegal mining.
He said the government had established such programmes as Planting for Food and Jobs, One District, One Factory and was in the process of putting in place many others to provide the youth with jobs and other opportunities.
Security
The Chief of Kade in the Eastern Region, Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II, and a member of the minister’s entourage, said chiefs were vested with the authority to stop people working on their lands without their consent.
He reminded them that the efforts by the government to eradicate illegal mining were informed by the necessity to save the country's environment for future generations.
“Do not allow monetary considerations to take precedence over the country’s security and protection for that matter,” he said.
The acting President of the Aowin Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Sikantia; the acting President of Suaman Traditional Area, Nana Osei Kofi, and the Paramount Chief of Gwira Traditional Area, Awulae Ankama Tuagyan II, complimented the government’s intervention in illegal mining activities in the country.