Nkoranza (B/A) June 9 GNA - A two-day workshop on the Customary Law Project has been held for more than 100 stakeholders from selected communities in the Nkoranza Traditional area. Sponsored by the German Technical Corporation, (GTZ) the workshop wa s attended by traditional rulers, indigenous and settler farmers, female leaders, people with disability and heads of departments. Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo II, a member of the joint Steering Committee of the project, who opened the workshop, explained that the ACL P was a joint research programme established by the National House of Chief s and the Law Reform Commission. He said the project was instituted with the objective of documenting

traditional laws and rules in order to make them relevant. He, however, expressed concern that some vital information on certai n events were missing in traditional homes because such information were no t documented. Barima Okogyeasuo attributed the increasing number of chieftaincy an d land disputes to the lack of certainty in the Customary Law and Rules and

advised traditional authorities to implement the ACLP to promote unity, peace and understanding in the communities. He called for the modification of some outmoded customs to suit the conditions and the environment of the current generation and to promote national development. In a contribution, Nana Adwoa Sarpomaa, queen mother of Jema Nkwanta , advised paramount chiefs and kingmakers not to accept or embrace formal education as the only criteria in the installation of chiefs and queen mothers. She deplored the attitudes and practices of some traditional authorities who were influenced with money to enstool non-royals. "These unconstitutional chieftaincy conditions have caused a lot of disputes among families," she said, noting that the situation had encoura ged some non-royals to capitalize on their education and wealth to occupy traditional positions. Nana Sarpomaa urged paramount chiefs and king makers to help maintai n the integrity of the chieftaincy institution by adhering to laid down law s. Okatakyie Agyemang Kudom, Omanhene of Nkoranza, who presided, called on the youth to take their education seriously, be disciplined, law abiding and God fearing so they would grow to become responsible citizens. He appealed to chiefs in the area to educate their people on customa ry laws and norms guiding their stools and advised the youth to respect and obey traditional laws to preserve and enhance cultural heritage.