CHIEFTAINCY DISPUTES

      Judicial Committees of the Traditional, Regional and National Houses of Chiefs have been urged to expedite actions on cases pending before them, as early resolution of such disputes will help prevent social upheavals. 

 The President of the National House of Chiefs, Naa Professor John Nabila who said this at the first Meeting of the House for this year in Kumasi, said now that all the Regional Houses of Chiefs excluding the Central Region have been provided with counsels, delays in resolving such disputes would not be countenanced.

 He said for the short period last year that a counsel was appointed for the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs, the House at the close of the year managed to dispose off three pending cases. Naa Prof. Nabila noted with concern that unnecessary delays at the Judicial committees contribute to chieftaincy conflicts that could have been avoided, saying the country needs development and this could only be achieved when there is absolute peace in the communities.

 The President told members of the House that Parliament could not pass the Chieftaincy Amendment Bill as requested by the Supreme Court Ruling, because concerns were raised on certain aspects of the bill during a debate over it in the House during the second reading. Consequently, the bill was withdrawn and referred to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, the National House of Chiefs and Attorney General’s Office for further consideration. 

Prof. Nabila said the amended draft legislative instrument 2207 to give way for the admission of Queenmothers to the National House of Chiefs has been effected and consequently submitted to the Attorney General’s Office. 

The Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr. Henry Seidu Danaa said the Complainant in the Fihankra Stool and Skin affair has withdrawn the case from court, giving way for the National House of Chiefs to resolve the issue amicably.