Ho, Sept. 20, GNA - Mr Sampson Kweku Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture has blamed disputes over succession to thrones on the infiltration of the chieftaincy institution by charlatans. He said these people who might not be heirs to the throne often influenced kingmakers with money or other considerations. Mr Boafo was addressing a General Meeting of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in Ho on Wednesday.

He said while government would facilitate the resolution of problems of chieftaincy, it would respect procedures and the laws of the state and would not interfere.

Mr Boafo said his Ministry was about to propose amendments to the Chieftaincy Law that would give additional leverage to the role of chiefs in conflict resolution.

He said there were many cases before the courts involving individuals and groups, adding that these cases could be settled through dialogue by fair-minded chiefs and their elders.

The Minister congratulated chiefs and priests who brokered peace between the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya in their land conflict that dragged on for eight decades.

Togbega Gabusu VI, President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, said the house was proposing an amendment to the Orders of the House that would allow rotational members to stay for three years instead of two years.

He said this would prevent instances where some of the rotational members leave very important jobs assigned by the house unfinished because of the end of their term.

Togbega Gabusu explained that out of the 118 traditional areas in the region, only 15 were recognised as paramountcies, with the rest 103 taking turns to sit at meetings of the House as rotational members. He said the inability of traditional councils and houses of chiefs to attract and retain staff was due to the poor working conditions and appealed to government to address this and accommodation problems facing staff of the regional Houses.

Togbega Gabusu regretted that bailiffs managed most of the traditional councils and also that three-unit bungalows started in Ho 21 years ago for the regional staff were still uncompleted.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister recalled the role of chiefs in the indirect rule system during colonial times, saying it gave credence to the role they had now to promote good governance. He urged the two-day meeting to take stock of achievements over time and to enable them to rekindle efforts to face the socio-economic challenges confronting the region.

Mr Dzamesi said the only way chiefs could consolidate the confidence of their people in them was to "run an open and effective administration which would enable you to enjoy the cooperation and support of all".

Queen mothers who traditionally are not members of the house also attended the meeting.