Accra: Mrs. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has affirmed the government's commitment to involving traditional authorities in development efforts. She emphasized the unparalleled role of chiefs and queens in driving national progress, advocating for effective collaboration between the government and these traditional leaders to foster development.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Sowah made these remarks at the coronation ceremony of Oheneba Kwame Baffoe IV and Nana Yaa Sarpomaa III, who were installed as the Paramount Chief and Paramount Queen-mother of the Nkoranza Traditional Area in the Bono East Region. The event, themed 'Celebrating one year of peace and harmony: Setting the Pace for the Launch of the Nkoranzaman Progressive Forum and Homecoming', highlighted the significance of the chieftaincy institution as a pillar of national identity. Mrs. Sowah acknowledged the vital role of chiefs and queens in governance, peace-building, and community development.
She pointed out that traditional authorities are crucial partners in conflict resolution, community mobilization, cultural preservation, and local economic development. Mrs. Sowah praised Nkoranza for its rich history and substantial contributions to Ghana's economic progress, noting its role as a hub for trade, agriculture, and cultural heritage. She underscored the area's importance in regional cohesion and traditional governance, symbolizing resilience, unity, and cultural pride.
Mrs. Sowah encouraged the people of Nkoranza to maintain and enhance the peace in their area as a foundation for development, urging them to mobilize resources from both local and diaspora communities to achieve sustainable progress.
Oheneba Baffoe IV, the newly installed Paramount Chief, committed to strengthening the existing peace and mobilizing the community to elevate the region's development. His vision includes empowering communities to build a future marked by opportunity, dignity, and pride. He highlighted the fertile lands and abundant resources of Nkoranza, calling for unity to transform these prospects into lasting prosperity.
The Paramount Chief expressed intentions to add value to local agricultural products like cashew, maize, and yam, and called for investments in these areas. He urged the government and investors to establish commercial farming and agro-processing industries, which would create jobs and reduce poverty. Furthermore, Oheneba Baffoe IV pledged to enhance partnerships to improve healthcare and education quality in the region.