Government alone cannot deliver the development Ghana needs, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has said, urging traditional leaders and communities to work closely with state institutions to drive grassroots transformation.
He made the remarks at the 15th anniversary of the Bredi Nkyifie Yam Festival in the Bassa Traditional Area of the Bono East Region, an event that also marked 15 years of leadership and service by the Paramount Chief of Bassa, Nana Owusu Sakyi III.
The annual festival, a sacred celebration of harvest, gratitude and cultural identity, brought together chiefs, government officials and residents to reflect on unity, development and the future of the area.
In his address, Nana Owusu Sakyi III, who is also President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, used the occasion to appeal to government to address critical development challenges confronting the Bassa Traditional Area.
He called for the establishment of a modern market, explaining that a well-structured trading centre would boost local commerce, create jobs, support farmers and traders, and strengthen the local economy.
The Paramount Chief also appealed for the upgrading of the existing Bassa health clinic to a polyclinic, noting that access to quality healthcare remains a major concern. He said such an upgrade would help reduce preventable illnesses, maternal and child mortality, and the need for residents to travel long distances for medical care.
On education, Nana Owusu Sakyi III lamented the poor quality of education in parts of the far eastern section of the Bono East Region. He urged government to invest in human capital by establishing a tertiary institution in the area, such as a College of Nursing or a College of Education.
According to him, the presence of a tertiary institution would expand access to higher education while training skilled professionals to contribute to national development.
Several high-profile government officials attended the festival, including the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia; the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim; the Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi; and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives from the far eastern part of the region.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Asiedu Nketia described chiefs as custodians of culture, guarantors of peace and indispensable partners in grassroots development. He said a government led by former President John Dramani Mahama would continue to strengthen collaboration between traditional authorities and local government structures to accelerate development at the community level.
Responding to the appeals from the Bassa Traditional Area, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim assured the Paramount Chief and his people that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate agencies for consideration and support. He said the ministry remained committed to creating an enabling environment for community-led development initiatives.
The minister stressed that sustainable development requires collective responsibility, calling on traditional leaders, political authorities, religious bodies, women, youth and citizens of the Bassa Traditional Area to work together in peace and mutual respect.
He commended plans for the construction of a health centre to serve Kwame Duro and Bassa Senior High School, describing the initiative as timely and essential for improving access to healthcare for students, staff and surrounding communities. He added that when communities take initiative in health and education, it reinforces participatory development.
Bono East Regional Minister Francis Owusu Antwi also expressed appreciation to the national delegation led by Mr Asiedu Nketia. However, he raised concerns about unresolved chieftaincy disputes in the region, revealing that about 42 cases remain pending before both traditional and law courts.
He appealed to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to support efforts to resolve the disputes, stressing that lasting peace is essential for development in the Bono East Region.
Oheneba Kesse Brempong-Asare
