Accra: Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has reaffirmed the Government's commitment to strengthening the Chieftaincy institution, calling the Volta Regional House of Chiefs a vital pillar of Ghana's governance. Mr Ibrahim made the remarks on Friday during a familiarisation visit to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in Ho, where he commended traditional leaders for their role in preserving culture, resolving disputes, and promoting peace and social cohesion in the fast-growing Volta Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ibrahim acknowledged that the House continued to discharge its constitutional mandate under challenging conditions, particularly limited financial resources for adjudicating chieftaincy disputes. He announced that, effective April 1, the quarterly allocation for adjudication of cases would be increased from GHS30,000 to GHS50,000 to improve the timely delivery of justice.
The Minister also highlighted shortages of essential sub-professional staff, including bailiffs, security personnel, and cleaners, which he said posed administrative, operational, and security challenges to the smooth functioning of the House. He assured the chiefs that the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to explore practical and sustainable solutions within the framework of national priorities and available resources.
Mr Ibrahim disclosed that monthly allowances for Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers had been substantially increased to GHS3,000 and GHS2,400 respectively, representing a 300 per cent increment under the John Dramani Mahama administration. He said the funds had been released to the Regional House of Chiefs for disbursement to facilitate the work of traditional authorities.
Mr Ibrahim also briefed the House on the Government's commitment to implementing the 24-Hour Model Market Initiative, which aims to create modern, one-stop commercial hubs and decongest existing central markets. He encouraged Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and traditional authorities to work collaboratively to ensure the success of the initiative, noting that chiefs, as custodians of land, played a critical role in making suitable sites available for market construction.
Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, commended the productive collaboration between the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), noting that the partnership had led to capacity-building initiatives, including training for the House's Judicial Committee and joint inspections of government projects across the Region. Mr Gunu encouraged MDCEs to strengthen engagement with traditional authorities at the local level, stressing the importance of integration between local assemblies and traditional leadership structures for effective development delivery.
Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Anfoega, welcomed the Minister and his delegation, describing the Region as peaceful and conducive to constructive engagement. He commended the Government for its continued engagement with traditional authorities and applauded recent development efforts, including the commissioning of a new building for the Adaklu Traditional Council.