Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi, the Eastern Regional Minister, has appealed to chiefs to manage their differences and not to allow differences of opinion or diversities of thought to divide their ranks or be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife.
“Rather, let us search diligently for peace and unity in this noble institution so that it will develop, progress and prosper,” he said.
Dr Apea-Kubi was addressing a general meeting of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in Koforidua during which Nene Sakite 11,
Konor of Manya Krobo and Oseadeeyo Frimpong Manso IV, Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, were admitted into the House.
He said for chiefs to reduce disputes it was important for all traditional leaders to recognize and respect the hierarchy of the institutional jurisdiction and where they fit in.
“For a chief to elevate himself to a position where he is not supposed to be would definitely infringe on another chief’s prerogatives and trying to assume a role belonging to someone else is bound to create unnecessary problems,” he said.
Dr Apea-Kubi said chieftaincy disputes in the country were sources of worry and that it was regrettable around which development revolves in the communities was gradually loosing its credibility because of
acrimonies and disputes.
Dr Apea-Kubi called for efforts from chiefs to address moral decadence that had engulfed the social fabric of the country
He mentioned some of the vices as lawlessness, drug trafficking, drug abuse, armed robbery, senseless murders of innocent people and
occultism in schools.
“Another area of concern which Nananom should be actively involved boarders on the environment and hygiene. There must be conscious effort to make cleanliness a functionary activity of our lives”.
Dr Apea-Kubi appealed to chiefs to assist the government to stem illegal mining around river bodies and illegal chain-saw operations.
“Let us give attention to the long term effect of destroying our environment such as depletion of the Ozone layer, global warming and
other environmental calamities. The pollution of water bodies such as the Birim and Densu rivers is a worrying case in point”.
The Regional Minister also tasked chiefs to team up with the District Assemblies to tackle the destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen who allow their cattle to destroy large tracts of farm and farm produce, pollute water bodies and at times rape women.