Minister

Somanya, (E/R), Sep.23, GNA - Mr Samson Kwaku Boafo, Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, has said that the lack of transparency in the process of nomination, selection and installment of some chiefs, have contributed to the numerous chieftaincy disputes in the country. He therefore cautioned kingmakers at the various traditional areas to ensure transparency in the whole process in order to protect the chieftaincy institution from litigation. Mr Boafo said this when he addressed chiefs and people of Yilo and New Juaben Traditional Areas at separate durbars on Monday as part of his three- day working visit to the Eastern Region. He said the chieftaincy institution was a noble thing, which should be given all the needed attention, hence the creation of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture by President John Agyekum Kufour two years ago. "It is against this background that I urge all of you to protect the institution and not do anything that would bring its name into disrepute," he said. Mr Boafo commended the people of Yilo Krobo for ensuring peace among themselves and their neighbours all these years and urged them to continue to live in peace. Nene Dawutey Ologo VI, Kono of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area, commended President Kufour for the creation of the Ministry to take charge of the chieftaincy institution. He expressed worry about reported cases of political conflicts among supporters of the various political parties in some parts of the country. He said it was unfortunate that 16 years after democratic dispensation, the nation was experiencing those unfortunate incidents in political campaigns. He called on leaders of the various political parties to caution their supporters to refrain from violence in order to ensure violence free elections this year. In Koforidua, the Minister accompanied by Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister, addressed chiefs of the New Juaben Traditional Area with a call on Ghanaians to protect the peace the nation was enjoying. Mr Boafo said this year's elections should not be considered as a "do and die affair" so that whoever would be elected would be accepted by all. Daasebre Professor Oti Boateng, Omanhene of New Juaben, said Ghanaians were one people with a common destiny therefore fighting each other because of politics would not bring any benefit to the nation.