CHIEF OF STAFF CALLS FOR RIGHT SUCCESSION PLANS (Page 47)

Story: Samuel Duodu, Kintampo

THE Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, has urged kingmakers to put in place the right succession plans to help stamp out the many chieftaincy disputes that have bedevilled the once revered traditional institution in recent times.
He said a succession plan would not only prevent the violent conflicts often associated with the enstoolment and enskinment of traditional rulers, but also ensure that the right people ascended the throne.
Mr Mpiani made the call when he represented President J. A. Kufuor as the special guest of honour at a colourful durbar to climax this year’s Kurubi festival of the chiefs and people of the various Wangara communities across the country held at Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region on the theme: “Celebrating Ghana’s Golden Cultural Heritage” at the weekend.
The annual festival is a celebration of the Wangaras, in honour of their ancestors who were originally indigenes of Bambars, Madingo, and Djula in the ancient kingdoms of Mali and Songhai, who migrated southwards to the Gold Coast when they were pursued by the notorious slave raiders, Samore and Babatu.
The National Association of Wangara communities known as “Benkadi”, which literally means “Togetherness Bring Happiness”, has been responsible for the annual organisation of the Kurubi festival at Kintampo, which is regarded as the spiritual home of the Wangaras, under the leadership of Nana Fanyinamah III, President of the Council of Wangara chiefs.
Mr Mpiani stated that the President asked him to convey to the kingmakers and traditional councils to do something to stop the violent clashes that were often associated with the installation of chiefs, in order to restore the respect once accorded the chieftaincy institution in the country, but which was fast eroding through the numerous disputes.
He called on the various factions involved in the numerous chieftaincy disputes across the country to use dialogue to resolve their differences for peace to prevail.
Mr Mpiani also called on the people to use the festival as the rallying point to promote tourism in Kintampo which abounds in may tourist sites, such as the Kintampo and the Fuller Waterfalls, as well as being regarded as the centre of Ghana.
He advised the people of the area, especially the youth, not to indulge in sexual promiscuity to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS, but rather channel their energies into productive ventures.
Mr Mpiani stressed the importance of education to the development of society and urged people to take advantage of the Capitation Grant and School Feeding Programme and send their children to school.
The Chief of Staff assured the people of Kintampo that the government would ensure the completion of the Kintampo township roads and the drainage system, which were ongoing, while plans were far advanced to change the single face of electricity supply to that of a three face to befit the municipality status.