Stories from Isaac Akwetey-Okunor
The Overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa State, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has called on traditional rulers within his kingdom and Ghana at large, to put their shoulders to the wheel to dispense socio-economic development for their traditional areas.
According to the traditional leader of Okyeman, the development of the country was the collective responsibility of every Ghanaian, including traditional rulers, despite the fact that development was supposed to come from central government.
To this end, the Okyenhene intimated that for holistic development to take place in the country, the role of traditional rulers cannot be underestimated, since the government cannot do it all alone, hence, traditional rulers should map out means to support the development of the government.
He made this call during the 14th Session of the State Council meeting of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, which was held on last Friday at Achiase in the Eastern Region.
The State Council Meeting, which, since the inception of the concept has been held at the Okyehene’s palace, for the first time was held outside, in an effort to enhance and open up decentralisation within the context of traditional governance.
The innovation, according to the Okyenhene, was to extend traditional governance, Okyeman customs, conventions and usages to the doorsteps of all Akyem citizens.
Notwithstanding the call on traditional rulers to support efforts of the government, Osagyefo Ofori Panin II launched a passionate appeal to the government to equally work with traditional authorities in the country on issues affecting the socio-economic development of their areas.
He expressed grave concern over the deplorable state of the road networks within his traditional area, which had been given little or no attention by the government, and called the latter to help solve the problem.
To him, due the mounting challenges confronting the traditional area, within the context of unfavorable national political situation, it was imperative for all nananom and Akyem citizens to take up the mantle and move forward.
This, among others, the fearless and bold traditional leader mentioned, would be the tonic to bring accelerated socio-economic development to the area.
The Okyenhene also appealed to the government to allow the traditional rulers own some natural resources such as cocoa, minerals and timber among others within the jurisdiction of the traditional areas, to develop their area.
He bemoaned the haphazard state of mining within the kingdom, with its consequent environmental problems, adding that, “though the President has promised to facilitate licenses for small scale miners, there was the need for critical steps to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.”
He also congratulated President John Mahama for inaugurating the task force to oversee and bring the activities of illegal mining and illegal chainsaw operators in the country to a halt, as he cautioned his sub-chiefs to help their members on issue of license.