Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, on Tuesday called on the Constitutional Review Committee to make amendments to portions of the law that established the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism(ADRM).

He said that would help address defects in the ADRM approach and make it more enforceable.

Speaking at the first general meeting of the House in Sunyani, Osahene Aterkyi, who is the Paramount Chief of Kukuom, said in 2011, several attempts were made to settle cases pending before the Judicial Committee of the House by the use of the ADRM but to no avail.

“It is regrettable to note that after parties have been consulted, brought together for settlement and solutions concluded, in many cases they resorted to go back to courts again”, he stressed.

Osahene Aterkyi said the decisions under the mechanism were not enforceable and as a result, 30 per cent of cases which were resolved under the mechanism last year had gone back to the court.

He cited the Manje chieftaincy dispute as well as the Kwatwoma, Konkoma, Kadjeji stool affairs and said that, this showed the defect in the ADRM approach, “which fails to make decisions arrived at the ADRM enforceable.”

Osahene Aterkyi said that this notwithstanding, the House would continue to use: “the mechanism this year to help resolve some pending cases that may be found to be straight forward to be handled by the ADRM.”

He appealed to chiefs to assist in ensuring violent-free election in December, by educating members of their communities to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts and political violence.

Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye–Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, expressed regret that chieftaincy cases and land disputes were drawing back the socio-economic development of the region.

He appealed to the House to facilitate the resolution of all the disputes pending before it, and to nib the emerging ones in the bud.

Mr. Nyamekye–Marfo said, “the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in collaboration with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) will continue to play its mandated role of ensuring peace and security in the region.

“It is in the light of this that REGSEC is urging this House to heed the directive of the National Security Council and suspend the planned induction of three (3) new chiefs into the House until directed otherwise”, the Regional Minister emphasized.

“REGSEC is in touch with the National Security Council and will convey to Nana President and the House, any further directive that may be issued in that regard.”

On education, he said the beneficiaries of the School Feeding Programme which sought to support poor parents and their children, had increased from 114, 964 in 2010 to 168, 417 in January 2012, representing a 31.7 per cent increase in the region, while total payment for capitation grant from 2009 to date was GH¢8,400,426.84.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo announced that Government had created five new Districts Assemblies in the region, while the Nkoranza South District Assembly has been elevated to a Municipal Assembly.

The districts are Asutifi South, Banda, Dormaa West, Sene East and Techiman North with Hwidiem, Banda Ahenkro, Nkrankwanta, Kadjeji and Tuobodom respectively as their capitals.

The Regional Minister explained that Government created the new districts and municipalities nationwide to accelerate development in the local areas, and also bring governance closer to the people.

He said various structures have been identified to serve as offices and residential accommodation for key personnel to ensure its early take-off.

Currently, the Local Government Service in collaboration with the RCCs was at the final stage of selection of key personnel, who would manage and administer the affairs of those assemblies, the Regional Minister said.

Mr. Nyamekye–Marfo said the assemblies would be inaugurated nationwide on June 19 this year to signify their formal take–off.

He appealed to the chiefs to support the National Festival of Arts and Culture 2012, to be hosted in the region to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the people.**