Regional News of Friday, 20 August 2004

Source: GNA

Abodom Chief concerned about chieftaincy dispute

Agona Abodom (C/R), Aug. 20, GNA - Nana Fii Kwaw, Regent of Agona Abodom, has appealed to the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Agona, Mr John Kwesi Agyabeng to intervene in the protracted chieftaincy dispute that had held back the development of the town.

Nana Kwaw, who is also the Omankrado of Abodom, said although the 1992 Constitution prohibited political appointees to dabble in chieftaincy matters, the intervention of Mr Agyapong, would be necessary to salvage the town from the stalled socio-economic advancement.

He made the appeal when Mr Agyabeng inaugurated two modern places of convenience constructed by the District Assembly through the European Union Micro Project and the HIPC Fund at Agona Abodom and Upper Bobikuma.

The DCE also inaugurated three modern toilet facilities at Agona Asafo, Natifa and Kotokoli Zongo in the Agona East Constituency. Nana Kwaw said the dispute had dragged on for a decade.

He expressed appreciation to the District Assembly and central government for the provision of the facilities and pledged the commitment of the beneficiary communities to take good care of the amenities to prolong their life span.

Mr Agyabeng who is also the NPP Parliamentary candidate for Agona East Constituency, assured the chiefs and people about the frantic efforts to resolve the chieftaincy problem to promote peace and stability.

The DCE announced that a committee of eminent chiefs and high-ranking personalities had been set up to resolve the long-standing dispute.

He advised the beneficial communities to task their Area council members to run the facilities effectively and warned that the Assembly would not hesitate to take over the management of the amenities if they failed to do so.

Mr Agyabeng said the District Assembly had decided to offer free education to the public basic schools, with effect from the next academic year, to reverse the high school drop out rate.