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House of Chiefs asked to dispose of
disputes before it
Wa, June 10, Ghanadot/GNA- Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper
West Regional Minister has appealed to the Regional House of
Chiefs to settle all chieftaincy disputes brought before it
on time to promote peace in the region.
He said delay in adjudication of disputes by the house was
worrying, as members of the feuding factions sometimes take
the law into their own hands and cause confusion in the
communities that were found to have chieftaincy disputes.
Mr Benson made the appeal, when he addressed members of the
Regional House of Chiefs at its general meeting in Wa on
Monday.
He said he has been informed that there were five paramount
and five divisional chieftaincy disputes currently pending
before the house while two others were before the National
House of Chiefs for determination.
He therefore appealed to the chiefs to take a critical look
into how best they could deal with the disputes and stem the
surge to enhance development and progress of the people.
Mr Benson said it was worrying for people to spend so much
of their precious time, energy and resources in litigating
on issues, which could be amicably resolved.
"I want to appeal to all contesting parties who are involved
in chieftaincy disputes to give peace a chance and I also
want to appeal to the Regional House of Chiefs to deal with
matters before it with dispatch since justice delayed is
justice denied", he said.
Kuoru Kuri Buktie Limann IV, President of the Upper West
Regional House of Chiefs told the Mr Benson that the Wa
Chieftaincy case, which ended 2002, has bounced back to
litigation since last year.
He said five paramount skins: Wa, Pulima, Nadowli, Lawra and
Bussie had been affected by chieftaincy litigation and these
cases had been allotted to the Judicial Committee of the
House for hearing and determination.
Kuoru Limann, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Gwollu
Traditional area, urged those serving on the Judicial
Committees of the House to live above reproach in their
duties as judges.
"Chiefs serving in this capacity should always as much as
possible try to avoid the temptations of people, who have
their cases pending before them, for your reputation and as
well as that of the House are seriously at stake in the
hearing and determination of cases.
"By this, I am not saying that you should be enemies of
litigants, but your dealings and interactions with litigants
should end as soon as your court sitting is over", Kuoru
Limann advised.
He urged chiefs sitting on Judicial Committee not to give
cause for litigants to doubt their competence and integrity.
On the December 7 polls, Kuoru Limann said chiefs were
praying to God, for peaceful and orderly elections, to
promote unity and progress in the country.
GNA
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