Chiefs Plead On Behalf of W/N Minister

By Faustina Kwabea Osei

Bibiani — Five out of six paramountcies in the Western North Region have thrown their weight behind the Minister, Kingsley Aboagye-Gyedu, pleading with the president to maintain him, contrary to calls for his removal.

The traditional areas, Sefwi Anhwiaso, Sefwi Bekwai, Chirano, Suaman and Enchi indicated that Mr Aboagye-Gyedu, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, was competent and should be maintained to continue the good works he was doing.

At a press briefing at Bibiani on Monday, the Adontenhene of Sefwi Bekwai traditional area, Nana Marfo Paanin ll, spokesman for the chiefs, assured the government that "We, Nananom and the people of the region assure the government and Ghanaians that we will work continuously with the minister and his deputy to champion the socio-economic development of the region.

The call by the five paramountcies followed alleged controversial and unprofessional letter written by the Regional Minister to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development on June 11, this year, which sought to attack the integrity and character of the overlord of Sefwi Wiawso, Katakyie Kwasi Bumangama III, had connived with the Deputy Minister, Kwame Nkuah Okumdom to change the proposed site for the Regional Coordinating Council without the knowledge of the Regional Minister.

That resulted in pouring of libation and slaughtering of a sheep to pacify the gods to cleanse what they described as 'dent of insult' brought to the stool of Katakyie Bumangama.

According to Nana Paanin "it is very important for all, especially the traditional leaders in the region to support Mr Aboagye-Gyedu and other stakeholders in the region who are working hard to attract investors for the growth and development of the region.

"We appeal to the chiefs of Sefwi Wiawso traditional area who are said to have invoked curses on Mr Aboagye-Gyedu for his alleged disrespect towards Katakyie Bumangama to pacify the gods to overturn the curses and plead with Mr Okumdom to also refrain from attempting to infuse party politics into the chieftaincy institution and support and assist in the growth and development of the region.

"We are taking steps to settle the challenge between Mr Aboagye-Gyedu and Katakyie Bumangama as we cautioned everyone to be circumspect in their utterances over the issue and behave in a manner that will promote and maintain peace, unity and stability in the region," Nana Paanin said.

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