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Baffour Kwadwo Damoah Afari, the Sanaahene (sub-chief) of Dormaa Traditional Area in the Bono Region, has advocated integration of traditional leadership concept into the local government systems and structures.
He said that was required to strengthen local government systems, enhance decision making process and improve decentralization for the purpose of development.
Baffour Afari said the move would also help strengthen the prevailing peace and social cohesion in the country and promote sustainable development.
He was speaking at a symposium at Wamfie, organised by the Dormaa East District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to commemorate the 68th Independence Anniversary celebration. It was on the theme “Chieftaincy and culture in modern day local government system”, and attended by various Heads of Departments and Agencies, Assembly Members, security services and sections of the public.
Baffour Afari indicated that the role of chiefs and queens in modern local governance could not be underestimated, hence the need for the nation to engage them actively in decision making at all levels.
“An overview of the current decentralised governance administration system will therefore be incomplete if the historical contributions of chiefs and queens to the local governance and democracy is not recognised and appreciated”, he stated.
Baffour Afari said, “The chieftaincy should be seen as indispensable in local governance because it’s not foreign to the Ghanaian traditional concept, but the foundation for social cohesion and harmony”.
He highlighted the relevant role of traditional authorities in building a better society, saying they served as advocates for development, providing counselling and guidance and spearheaded the development needs of their people.
They also preserve culture and tradition and play active roles in the decision making process.
Baffour Afari said the Chieftaincy Act prohibited chiefs and queens from engaging in active partisan politics, hence the need for the nation to do more in ensuring that traditional authorities had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Source: GNA
