Though the 1992 Constitution debars political office holders from interfering in chieftaincy matters, the Greater Accra Regional Minister and former cadre in the brutal Rawlings’ Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, appears to be treating the provision with contempt.
The man, who goes by the nickname ‘Lion’, is treating his own chiefs as his errand boys by giving them orders that have no roots in the Constitution.
The Paramount Chief of Kpone, near Tema has, however, decided to rein in the roaring lion, warning him to stay in his territory and not dare trespass to areas he (chief) controls.
The warning from Nii Tetteh Otu II, the Paramount Chief, came after the Regional Co-ordinating Council, headed by the well-built ex-cadre, had written what is considered a vexatious letter dated 5th May, 2015, and by signed by Ernest Nyagbe, Acting Regional Co-ordinating Director, on behalf of the Regional Minister, ordering the Paramount Chief to remove certain names from his Traditional Council.
“I respectfully submit that I am surprised with the directives in your letter, because the Regional Administration is not clothed with any jurisdiction in such matters, and this, for me, amounts to undue interference in chieftaincy matters, and inimical to [the] development of the institution. I pray that the REGSEC desists from such acts in the future, and leave such matters to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs,” Nii Tetteh Otu II warned.
The controversial letter, which has irked the Paramount Chief, with the heading, REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEEE OF REGSEC ON DEMONSTRATION OF THE CONCERNED YOUTH OF KPONE AGAINST THE KPONE TRADITIONAL COUNCIL, reads: “It is recalled that following the demonstration by the Concerned Youth of Kpone against the Kpone Traditional Council, a Sub-Committee of REGSEC was set up by its Chairman, the Hon. Regional Minister for the Greater Accra Region and MP for Kpone–Katamanso Constituency, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, to look into the grievances of the Youth, and to come up with recommendations towards their redress and the maintenance of lasting peace in the Kpone Traditional Area.
“The Sub-Committee met with all sides in the dispute on several occasions, and endeavoured to re-establish peace in the Traditional Area. It observed that certain genuine concerns of the youth, namely, the irregular sale and allocation lands, and the presence of co-opted members on the Traditional Council which has no basis in the tradition and practices of Kpone, are inimical to the attainment of peace.
“Consequently the Committee decided that the continued presence of the under-listed co-opted members on the Kpone Traditional Council is not conducive to the maintenance of peace and security, and, indeed, is continuing to undermine efforts at [a] resolution of the impasse.
“The President of the Traditional Council is, therefore, hereby respectfully advised to remove them from the Council. They are Messrs:
Williams Nuertey Josiah Albert Narh William Nii Addo Nii Tetteh Ashong II
“The President of the Traditional Council is further advised to order the above-listed co-opted members to stop all activities relating to the allocation and management of Kpone lands forthwith, and to submit all documents and properties of the Kpone Traditional Council in their care and possession to the President of the Kpone Traditional Council.
“I am further directed by the Chairman of REGSEC to advice the President of the Traditional Council to put all land sales and allocations on hold until a proper Land Management System has been put in place.
“The President of the Traditional Council is respectfully requested to report back to the REGSEC, after carrying out the above directives.”
Upon the receipt of this letter, The Chronicle gathered that Nii Tetteh Otu II, who took serious exception to its content, also responded in a letter dated 18th May 2015.
The Chief’s letter reads: “I refer to your letter of the 5th May on the above, in which you advised the removal of the co-opted members on the Traditional Council.
“I wish to state that Nii Tetteh Ashong II is a substantive member of the Traditional Council, and his membership is in accordance with the chieftaincy Act, 208 (Act 759).
“The other persons, namely, William Nuertey Josiah, Albert Narh and William Nii Addo, are not members of the Traditional Council, but are co-opted from time to time to assist in the deliberations of the Council, which, in my humble view, not contrary to law.
“I respectfully submit that I am surprised with the directives in your letter, because the Regional Administration is not clothed with any jurisdiction in such matters, and this amounts to undue interference in chieftaincy matters, and inimical to [the] development of the institution.
“I pray that the REGSEC desists from such acts in the future, and leave such matters to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.”
Information available to The Chronicle indicates that the Regional Administration is yet to respond to the letter written by the Chief.
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