BOATENG HEADS ER HOUSE OF CHIEFS (SPREAD)

THE Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Oti Boateng, is the new President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
Daasebre Oti Boateng, who before his election was the Vice-President of the House and a former Government Statistician, was elected unopposed to succeed the late Konor of Yilo Krobo, Kpetepley Narh Dautey Ologo IV, who passed away in May this year.
At yesterday’s meeting of the 11-member House, the Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Paul Boateng, only announced to the gathering that “Nananom have by unanimous decision elected Daasebre Oti Boateng as the new President of the House” after which Mr Justice G.S. Suurubarreh, a Supervising High Court Judge, swore him into office.
In his acceptance speech, Daasebre Oti Boateng said although chieftaincy was an ancient institution for administration and governance, it had now been recognised as an important partner in the socio-economic development of the country.
He stated that the emergence of a new generation of chiefs who were agents of change, and the introduction of a new sense of dynamism and vision would go a long way to foster the national development agenda.
Daasebre Oti Boateng further told the House that an institute for chieftaincy development would be established in the country to strengthen and support traditional authorities in various areas and also to promote tourism.
He expressed his gratitude to members of the House and the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, for their support.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, for his part, entreated chiefs in the region to help solve chieftaincy disputes, illegal chain saw and gold/diamond mining (galamsey), environmental degradation and HIV/AIDS in the area.
The Regional Minister, who expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the police had recently dealt with crime, especially armed robbery, used the occasion to commend the police for a good work done.
The Regional Minister, who dwelt on other issues, refuted an allegation that the government was witch-hunting political leaders of the previous administration and explained that they were being held accountable for their stewardship as enshrined in the Constitution.
Earlier, Daasebre Oti Boateng announced the death of the late Konor of Yilo Krobo to the gathering after which the House observed a one-minute silence in his honour.