Regional News of Tuesday, 24 June 2003

Source: Chronicle

Imminent Clash Over Boundaries

To avert any possible clash between the Mos in the Kintampo district and the Nkronza Bonos, the paramount chief of the Nkronza Traditional Council (NTC), Okatakyie Agyemang Kudom II, has appealed to the Brong Ahafo regional minister, Nana Kwadwo Seinti, to ensure that the boundaries between the two traditional areas are demarcated.

The Nkronzahene hinted that currently there is a looming tension between his subjects and that of Mohene, Nana Takyi Elaji II, whom he claimed is not a recognized paramount chief.

According to Okatakyie, after the death of Nana Dimpo the late Mohene, no one has been installed as chief of Mo traditional area and therefore urged the regional minister to intervene to avoid even a clash between the Mos themselves.

Briefing the minister at his palace during a two-day familiarization tour to the Nkronza district , the omanhene stressed the need for peace between all people he is sharing boundaries with.

Other people the traditional area is sharing boundaries with, according to Okatakyie are the Prang, Sekyedumase, Techiman traditional areas, adding that "I am are living peacefully with these people".

The Nkronzahene claimed that his people do not want to fight but it is the Mos who are waging war against them.

To ensure a peaceful settlement of the impasse Okatakyie suggested to the minister to invite the two district chief executives from Kintampo and Nkronza for further discussions.

He told the minister that during the lifetime of the late chief of the Mos, they were living peacefully as traditional chiefs.

Another area of concern to the Nkronzahene is the non-payment of royalties from the Forest Commission (FC) to his paramountcy.

Okatakyie said almost all forest reserves in the area had been depleted without any replacement.

Responding to his appeal, Nana Seinti assured the chief that he would direct the boundaries commission to demarcate area as soon as possible.

He advised him to exercise constraint and to ensure that peace is maintained in the area.

Nana Seinti indicated that as soon as he got back to Sunyani the issue would be tackled.

On the royalties, the minister directed the Nkronzahene to contact the administrator of stool lands about the payment.

Nana Seinti emphasized that whatever business that is going on in a particular traditional area whether sand winning or timber logging, all monies accrued goes to stool lands and not the chiefs.

He explained that the decision of the government to pay the money to the stool lands administrator is because most chiefs do not use such monies for the development of their areas.

At Akumasa-Dumase the minister warned that all teachers who perform below expectation would be fired.

"Soon I would request for results of examination from all schools in the region and if any school is found performing dismally, the teachers in the school would be held responsible," he stated.

According to the minister, the NPP government has attached great importance to education that is why they are improving upon both infrastrature, equipping the schools with furniture and creating a sound environment for the teachers to teach.

He advised parents to send their children to school because education is the key to success in life.

He told the people that five districts have been selected for the presidential initiative on cassava.

A factory for the processing of cassava starch would be installed at Kintampo and to ensure that there is sufficient cassava for the factory, the minister asked them to cultivate more cassava to feed it.

He also tasked them to get into cashew production. The minister inspected a number of developmental projects in the area.