Sekondi April 7, GNA - Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Thursday said chieftaincy disputes are diverting attention from the Region's development needs.

He was speaking a meeting of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) called to look into recent eruption of chieftaincy disputes at Bonyere and Fijai.

Mr Aidoo, who is the Chairman of the REGSEC said greater portion of the time of the Council was now taken up by chieftaincy disputes to the neglect of development concerns.

He said chieftaincy matters were not the responsibility of REGSEC as the Constitution had clearly stated. Mr Aidoo said the REGSEC would not adjudicate on chieftaincy matters adding that the right place to seek redress for such matters was the courts.

He said the REGSEC would enforce the decisions of the courts and anybody or group of persons not satisfied with this could appeal against ruling of the courts.

Mr Aidoo advised lawyers to give the correct legal advice to their clients to ensure the right thing was done. He urged factions in chieftaincy disputes to avoid using the radio to fuel passions.

Mr Aidoo said available legal evidence indicated that the Mafole clan had the right to the Bonyere stool.

He asked the rival Adohole clan who were bent on installing a chief and a queenmother in contravention of the ruling of the courts to produce their lawyer to show the Council when the courts ruled that the clan had the right to the Bonyere stool.

Mr Aidoo said the Kokodu Abantwa of Fijai wanted to install a new chief to replace Nana Fijaiba of the Kokodu Abradzie clan. He advised both parties to take the matter to court, which was the right place to decide on such matters.