He observed that chieftaincy conflicts retarded development and also prevented investors from moving into such conflict vicinity.

 

    Dr Daanaa was speaking at a day’s workshop organised by Konard Adenaur Stiftung (KASS), an international Non Governmental Organization (NGO) for Queen Mothers in Sunyani.

 

    It was on the theme: “Prevention of Chieftaincy Conflict in the Brong Ahafo Region; the Role of Queen Mothers”.

 

     The workshop aimed at enhancing the understanding of Queen Mothers on chieftaincy issues was attended by queenmothers drawn from the Region.

 

      He stated that it was important for queenmothers to have adequate knowledge about the Chieftaincy Act considering the fact that in any traditional area it was the queenmothers who nominate during enstoolment of chiefs.

 

     Dr Daanaa emphasised that queenmothers related directly to enstoolment and destoolment,   adding that, the administration of chieftaincy in the country will be incomplete without queenmothers.

 

     Mr. Alexandra Kofi Essien, acting Registrar of the National House of Chiefs in his presentation on enstoolment and  and destoolment as a source of chieftaincy conflict and its effects  on the nation,  entreated queenmothers to always  follow and use the precise procedure  after the demise of a chief  to ensure peace in their area.

 

     He said it was not accepted in the Chieftaincy Act for a queenmother to enstool a chief but rather she elect a person from the royal family and present that person to the kingmakers for endorsement.

 

     Mr. Essien observed that chieftaincy conflict was destroying the nation’s culture and was bringing a lot of confusion and division in many families thereby affecting the nation’s peace.

 

    Ms Ernestina Kuukuwa Abraham, Counsel of the National House of Chief, urged the participants to ensure that chieftaincy disputes passed through the customary arbitration council for peaceful settle to avoid wasting of time and resources at the high court.

 

   She stated that an appeal could be made at the law court if the complainant were not satisfied with the outcome of the settlement at the arbitration council to ensure harmony.

 

    Dr Isaac Owusu- Mensah a representative of KASS stated that the best legacy a chief could leave to his people was peace, adding that, one could only measure the ability of a chief or a leader after he or she had left the position.

 

        He therefore urged the participants to always try to reconcile for the sake of the future generation.

 

    Some of the participants also expressed concern about the delay of settlement of chieftaincy conflict placed before the House and appealed to authorities concern to always fast track issues to prevent cases from getting worse in an area.