Regional News of Thursday, 16 December 2004

Source: GNA

Gyapong Ababio re-elected as President of NHC

Kumasi, Dec.16, GNA- Odeneho Gyapong Ababio 11, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi-Bekwai Traditional Area was on Thursday re-elected unopposed as the President of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi. Members of the house also re-elected Naa Bammini Sandu 11 Kaleo Naa, as the Vice President.

They were sworn into office by the Ashanti Regional Supervising High Court Judge, Mrs Justice Agnes M. Dordzie to serve another three-year term.

The occasion was used to swear-in representatives from the various Regional Houses of Chiefs into the house.

Addressing the house, Mrs Dordzie deplored the numerous chieftaincy disputes, which had affected developments in the country. She said the disputes had resulted in a number of litigations in courts and were affecting the speedy growth and development of communities involved.

Mrs Dordzie appealed to the chiefs to respect the judicial oath they had taken and dispense justice without fear of favour. She, however, congratulated the chiefs for taking steps to settle some of the disputes amicably and urged them to continue to promote peace and unity among their people.

Odeneho Gyapong Ababio thanked members of the House for the confidence reposed in him.

He said since his election three years ago, he had brought improvement to the House.

Odeneho Gyapong Ababio said the house had received four vehicles and all the Regional Houses of chiefs had been supplied with computers to enhance their work.

He commended the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ), Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF), Conservation International, Care International, UNDP and the National Governance Programme for their support.

Odeneho Gyapong Ababio said during his new term of office, he would endeavour to get the chieftaincy village project started.

The project would involve the construction of new administration and conference blocks and 10 buildings for the 10 Regional Houses of Chiefs. He said the House would collaborate with the government to initiate programmes that would improve the living standards of the people.