The President of the National House of Chiefs, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, has urged the police to act firmly to tackle chieftaincy and land disputes - threatening the peace of the country.

They should carry out thorough investigation into any such disputes and be bold to prosecute those found to have been involved in fomenting trouble and acts of criminality.

That, Naa Prof Nabila said, was the way forward to prevent impunity and protect the peace.

He was addressing a general meeting of the House held at its conference hall in Kumasi.

He reminded his colleague chiefs to identify “conflict triggers” in their various traditional areas and focus efforts on how to effectively handle these to avoid chaos and confusion.

Naa Prof Nabila said they should accept to go to every length to promote peace and harmony – conditions, vital for the smooth socio-economic development of any human society.

He encouraged them to provide the right leadership to boost the confidence of the people in the chieftaincy institution.

He used the meeting to ask the Judicial Committee of the House to work hard to bring to conclusion chieftaincy disputes brought before it for adjudication.

He said he found it refreshing that the Committee had already disposed of five of such cases and expressed the hope that the remaining would be done with before the close of the year.

The President of the NHC gave the assurance that queens would soon be joining the House.

Former Finance Minister and Board Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission

(NDPC), Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, was given audience by the chiefs on the proposed 40-year development plan – a blueprint for progress and sustainable development of the nation.

The goal was to seek the views of the traditional rulers and incorporate them in the long-term plan.

Dr. Botchwey informed the House that the Commission had begun nationwide consultations to provide the opportunity for stakeholders to make inputs to enhance its acceptability.