Kumasi, March 23, GNA - Mr. Alexander Asum-Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, has appealed to the leadership of the Houses of Chiefs to act decisively to end chieftaincy disputes.

He asked them to evolve a system that would ensure that right customary

procedures were followed in the installation and destoolment of chiefs. Mr. Asum-Ahensah said there was the need to educate kingmakers and people on the laws, practices and procedures regulating chieftaincy. He was launching the Chieftaincy Bulletin of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi on Tuesday.

The 190-page publication was made up of articles on the Constitution, administration of stool lands, traditions in Ghana, lines of succession to stool and skins, the Chieftaincy Act and the chiefs list.

The Minister said the launch of the bulletin showed that the House was determined to empower its members.

Mr. Asum-Ahensah said the House would now be able to notify the public about matters relating to chieftaincy without having to necessarily rely on the local Government Bulletin.

He said the Ministry was in a discussion the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry on a joint Memorandum to Cabinet to ensure that the District Assemblies, among others, provided financial assistance to the Judicial Committees and Traditional Councils of the Houses.

He explained that this would include payment of sitting and transportati= on allowances for members who would attend meetings. Mr Asum-Ahensah commended Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for contributing to the publication of the bulletin. He lauded the Editorial Board and the publishers for the good job done and said he was confident that the bulletin would help to raise the image of chieftaincy.

Wulugu Naba Naa Pugansoa Naa John S. Nabila, President of the National House of Chiefs, called on the media to help educate the public on the contents of the bulletin.