The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, has described chieftaincy disputes as the single most pressing challenge facing the region since he assumed office.
Speaking during his working visit to the Dormaa Traditional Area, the minister expressed grave concern that almost every stool that becomes vacant in the region is contested, sparking tensions that threaten security, peace, and development.
“Why should brothers fight among themselves over who becomes chief to the extent of killing each other? If you kill yourselves, who then are you going to lead as a chief?” the Minister questioned passionately.
He cited several hotspots of chieftaincy disputes in Bono, including Sunyani, Berekum, Wenchi, Badu, Nsuatre, Japekrom, Drobo, Fiapreh, and the biggest of all, Sampa.
Addae Akwaboah lamented that many of these disputes are fueled by selfish ambitions rather than the welfare of the people.
“Because of our personal interests, we want to be chiefs at all costs, creating confusion that only distracts society. Who will you lead if your people are killed?” he stressed.
He appealed to traditional leaders (nanamon) to ensure transparency in enstoolment processes and prioritize the collective interest of their subjects above personal ambitions.
The Bono Regional Minister anchored his warning in the country’s legal framework, reminding traditional leaders that the law empowers the state to act when chieftaincy disputes threaten public order.
He referenced Article 270(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the institution of chieftaincy together with its traditional councils, but also obliges government to safeguard peace and order.
He also cited Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759), which criminalizes actions that disturb public peace in connection with chieftaincy matters, providing that “a person who disturbs the public peace in relation to a chieftaincy matter commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or to both.”
“I promise you, as long as I remain Bono Regional Minister, any chief who causes confusion will be arrested and prosecuted. Even if it costs me my job, I will do it, because peace is more important,” he declared firmly.
Ironically, just hours after the minister’s stern caution, reports emerged of another violent chieftaincy dispute in Sampa on the same evening.
Eyewitnesses revealed that rival factions clashed following disagreements over succession matters, raising fresh concerns about security in the Jaman North enclave.
Security personnel were swiftly deployed to prevent escalation, but the development underscored the Minister’s warning about the destructive consequences of unresolved chieftaincy disputes in the region.
The Bono Regional Minister reaffirmed his resolve to work closely with the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs, traditional councils, and security agencies to safeguard peace.
He emphasized that without peace, the development agenda of the region cannot be achieved
By: Magyina Kwasi | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
