Odeefo Amoakwa Boadu VIII, the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs has entreated President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the relationship between government and the chieftaincy institution to give traditional authorities active role in the governance and development of the country.
He expressed disquiet over the sidelining of chiefs in the governance of the country by successive governments, thereby relegating their role to the background. Addressing a grand durbar held to crown President Mahama’s thank-you tour of the Central Region, Odeefo Boadu urged the President to include chiefs in key and relevant committees that were aimed at addressing national issues.
“Even with our limited capacity, we assure you that we shall also work closely with you to address the challenges of the region to improve the wellbeing of the people and to bring development to the region,” he added. The colorful durbar was held at the historic Victoria Park in the Central Regional Capital, Cape Coast.
The event, very well organised, was graced by chiefs and queen mothers, Imams, party executives, Members of Parliament, students and their teachers, party faithful, among others.
President Mahama was accompanied by his Vice, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and a high-profile entourage including Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Mr Alex Segbefia, Chief of Staff of the Vice President.
Odeefo Boadu impressed on the President to introduce initiatives to create more jobs for the unemployed youth in the region. “We need to invest in skills development and attract industries that can provide sustainable opportunities for our youth,” he said. He further urged the government to pay particular attention to the deplorable roads in the region as well as the region’s mining sector.
“We need to develop the mining sector especially with lithium to enable us to derive real and lasting benefits for our people. “The first lithium agreement that is expected to help the Central Region still awaits ratification by Parliament,” he revealed. The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs took the opportunity to congratulate President Mahama on his landslide victory but quickly cautioned that it reflected the expectations of the people.
He therefore entreated him to make all efforts to honor his promises and expressed the support of the chiefs for his administration. President Mahama, addressing the teeming gathering, thanked the chiefs and people of the region and reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his promises. He assured the region of their first and fair share of the national cake and stressed that no community or region would be left behind under his administration.
Source: GNA
