The chiefs and queens of Akuapem, led by the Krontihene, Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman, last week brainstormed on the various cultural practices and traditions of the Akans, especially those relating to inheritance.
The programme dubbed: “Ascertainment and Codification of Customary Law Project”, which was organised jointly by the Ghana Law Commission and the National House of Chiefs with financial support from GTZ of Germany, was to initiate modernise traditional practices found to be inimical to society and codify them to assist the law courts to properly deal with such issues.
The report of the meeting, which was held at the Regional House of Chiefs in Koforidua, would be submitted to the National House of Chiefs for further study before being submitted to the Law Reform Commission for final study and codification.
Addressing the gathering, the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adote Obuor who represented the National House of Chiefs, said since there were inter-marriages among the various ethnic groups, it was necessary to have a codified set of customary laws that would deal with cases on the different customary practices, especially those on inheritance.
According to him, the law courts found it difficult dealing with issues relating to customary practices, especially those regarding inheritance, while most of the family heads who were young were also not well-versed in their own traditions and culture to deal with such issues.
He said in view of such a situation, the best thing to do was to have a set of codified customary laws that would enable the law courts to handle every issue relating to the traditions of the people in every part of the country.
Nii Adotey Obuor expressed the hope that the deliberations by nananom would help in the adjudication of sensitive cases involving customs and traditions that would be acceptable to all aggrieved persons.
Other issues such as the burial of royals and ordinarycitizens, widowhood rites and adoption were discussed at the meeting.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
LOWER MANYA UNDERGOES TRANSFORMATION (PAGE 26, JAN 5)
four of the Eastern Region’s 21 districts - Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo and Asuogyaman - constituted a single political entity known as the Kaoga District before 1974.
The large area, which could best be described as a sub-region was inhabited by the Manya Krobos, Yilo Krobos, the Anums and the Bosos, the indigenous people as well as the Ewes and other ethnic groups.
Most of the people are in agriculture while a significant number are fishermen, fishing in the nearby Volta Lake.
The large area inhabited by people from the five paramountcies of Yilo Krobo, Manya Krobo, Akwamu, Anum and Boso made it difficult to administer, although the heterogeneous population had been co-existing peacefully over the years. That was because available financial resources could not adequately provide infrastructure for the area which comprises big towns such as Somanya, Odumase-Krobo, Asesewa, Kpong, Agormenya, Atimpoku as well as other numerous communities.
It was, therefore, decided to divide the area first into three, Yilo Krobo, Asuogyaman and Manya Krobo.
The Manya Krobo District, which had an area of 1,476 square kilometres, was again sub-divided into two - Upper Manya Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo - with Odumase-Krobo as its capital.
Although the balkanisation of the area made it possible for the communities in Lower Manya Krobo to have some of the necessary infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, clinics and roads, some of the communities could not benefit from such facilities.
This is because although the Lower Manya Krobo District has a smaller land area, (383 square kilometres) when compared with its neighbour, Upper Manya, its population of 97,117 (2008 estimates) is by far more than that of the latter so despite efforts made by previous governments to develop its communities, others could not benefit from such programmes.
The Lower Manya District comprises most of the big towns, namely Odumase-Krobo, the district headquarters with a population of 25,000 (2008 estimates); Kpong (17,000) Kpongunor (16,900). Akuse (8,352) and Agormanya (13,777) as well as the other numerous villages and communities which do not have some of the basic social amenities.
It is in this respect that the current district assembly under the direction of Mr Isaac Tetteh-Agbo, the District Chief Executive (DCE), has initiated a development programme to ensure that every community would have a share of the national cake in terms of infrastructure development and other poverty-alleviation programmes.
To achieve a meaningful result, the 31-year-old political head, apart from continuing with the viable development projects initiated by the previous administration has also come out with additional programmes that would hasten the development of the area.
Under the programme, which would cover a four-year period, a number of projects, some of which started less than six months ago, have already been completed. They were funded from the district’s share of the District Assemblies Common Fund, the assemblies internally generated funds and donor funding.
Other programmes are at various stages of completion while some are yet to start. Some of the donor funding came from the European Union and German Technical Co-operation.
They include the rehabilitation of the Odumase-Krobo town roads, most of which have been completed, a European Union-funded clinic which was built within a record period of six months at Yonguase, a very deprived farming village, teachers bungalows at Oborpa-Gyakiti and Oblemanya and the rehabilitation of dilapidated school buildings some of which were constructed more than four decades ago in Odumase-Krobo, Agormanya, Akuse, Kpong, as well as KVIP places of convenience at Asite and Kojonya.
Other schools such as the Matse Israel District Assembly (D/A) at Abanse, the Kpong R/C and the Amedika D/A would be covered in the schools’ rehabilitation exercise.
Communities such as Wawase, Asite, Apra-Aboley, Kojonya, Abutia and Obelemanya, identified as bilhazia-prone areas because the inhabitants rely on water from the Volta Lake, will also be provided with potable water.
“The assembly has, within a very limited period, done a lot, especially in the educational sector, which is our priority area where new school buildings are being built and old ones being rehabilitated”, the DCE stated.
The DCE indicated that needy pupils and students were also being supported by the assembly to continue with their education. In line with this, a special fund had been set up to give soft loans to teachers to boost their morale to offer their best and improve the performance of the pupils at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).
One significant aspect of the programme is the development of a one-kilometre loop overlooking the Volta River at Kpong as a “tilapia beach” where fresh and smoked tilapia will be available, and a centre which would also be provided with the latest recreational facilities like speed boats.
The facility, a joint venture between the assembly and local/foreign investors, will turn the town to a tourist paradise when completed.
To beautify and decongest the cluster of towns comprising Odumase-Krobo, Agormanya, Nuase and Kpong, all artisans, particularly those operating auto mechanical workshops would be relocated at Whekper near Okwenya.
On poverty alleviation, the assembly has provided working kits to 30 young persons who have completed various vocational courses to set up their own businesses.
It has also acquired a large stretch of land at Okwenya for the youth to go into block farming to produce vegetables and generate income for themselves.
The success of such an elaborate development programme would, however, depend on support from the assembly members, the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Michael Nyaunu, and the traditional authority led by the Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Sakite, all of whom have demonstrated their resolve to ensure the rapid development of the district.
And judging from the harmonious relations existing between these major development players and the district chief executive, the Lower Manya District could be transformed into one of the best in the region in the next few years.
The large area, which could best be described as a sub-region was inhabited by the Manya Krobos, Yilo Krobos, the Anums and the Bosos, the indigenous people as well as the Ewes and other ethnic groups.
Most of the people are in agriculture while a significant number are fishermen, fishing in the nearby Volta Lake.
The large area inhabited by people from the five paramountcies of Yilo Krobo, Manya Krobo, Akwamu, Anum and Boso made it difficult to administer, although the heterogeneous population had been co-existing peacefully over the years. That was because available financial resources could not adequately provide infrastructure for the area which comprises big towns such as Somanya, Odumase-Krobo, Asesewa, Kpong, Agormenya, Atimpoku as well as other numerous communities.
It was, therefore, decided to divide the area first into three, Yilo Krobo, Asuogyaman and Manya Krobo.
The Manya Krobo District, which had an area of 1,476 square kilometres, was again sub-divided into two - Upper Manya Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo - with Odumase-Krobo as its capital.
Although the balkanisation of the area made it possible for the communities in Lower Manya Krobo to have some of the necessary infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, clinics and roads, some of the communities could not benefit from such facilities.
This is because although the Lower Manya Krobo District has a smaller land area, (383 square kilometres) when compared with its neighbour, Upper Manya, its population of 97,117 (2008 estimates) is by far more than that of the latter so despite efforts made by previous governments to develop its communities, others could not benefit from such programmes.
The Lower Manya District comprises most of the big towns, namely Odumase-Krobo, the district headquarters with a population of 25,000 (2008 estimates); Kpong (17,000) Kpongunor (16,900). Akuse (8,352) and Agormanya (13,777) as well as the other numerous villages and communities which do not have some of the basic social amenities.
It is in this respect that the current district assembly under the direction of Mr Isaac Tetteh-Agbo, the District Chief Executive (DCE), has initiated a development programme to ensure that every community would have a share of the national cake in terms of infrastructure development and other poverty-alleviation programmes.
To achieve a meaningful result, the 31-year-old political head, apart from continuing with the viable development projects initiated by the previous administration has also come out with additional programmes that would hasten the development of the area.
Under the programme, which would cover a four-year period, a number of projects, some of which started less than six months ago, have already been completed. They were funded from the district’s share of the District Assemblies Common Fund, the assemblies internally generated funds and donor funding.
Other programmes are at various stages of completion while some are yet to start. Some of the donor funding came from the European Union and German Technical Co-operation.
They include the rehabilitation of the Odumase-Krobo town roads, most of which have been completed, a European Union-funded clinic which was built within a record period of six months at Yonguase, a very deprived farming village, teachers bungalows at Oborpa-Gyakiti and Oblemanya and the rehabilitation of dilapidated school buildings some of which were constructed more than four decades ago in Odumase-Krobo, Agormanya, Akuse, Kpong, as well as KVIP places of convenience at Asite and Kojonya.
Other schools such as the Matse Israel District Assembly (D/A) at Abanse, the Kpong R/C and the Amedika D/A would be covered in the schools’ rehabilitation exercise.
Communities such as Wawase, Asite, Apra-Aboley, Kojonya, Abutia and Obelemanya, identified as bilhazia-prone areas because the inhabitants rely on water from the Volta Lake, will also be provided with potable water.
“The assembly has, within a very limited period, done a lot, especially in the educational sector, which is our priority area where new school buildings are being built and old ones being rehabilitated”, the DCE stated.
The DCE indicated that needy pupils and students were also being supported by the assembly to continue with their education. In line with this, a special fund had been set up to give soft loans to teachers to boost their morale to offer their best and improve the performance of the pupils at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).
One significant aspect of the programme is the development of a one-kilometre loop overlooking the Volta River at Kpong as a “tilapia beach” where fresh and smoked tilapia will be available, and a centre which would also be provided with the latest recreational facilities like speed boats.
The facility, a joint venture between the assembly and local/foreign investors, will turn the town to a tourist paradise when completed.
To beautify and decongest the cluster of towns comprising Odumase-Krobo, Agormanya, Nuase and Kpong, all artisans, particularly those operating auto mechanical workshops would be relocated at Whekper near Okwenya.
On poverty alleviation, the assembly has provided working kits to 30 young persons who have completed various vocational courses to set up their own businesses.
It has also acquired a large stretch of land at Okwenya for the youth to go into block farming to produce vegetables and generate income for themselves.
The success of such an elaborate development programme would, however, depend on support from the assembly members, the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Michael Nyaunu, and the traditional authority led by the Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Sakite, all of whom have demonstrated their resolve to ensure the rapid development of the district.
And judging from the harmonious relations existing between these major development players and the district chief executive, the Lower Manya District could be transformed into one of the best in the region in the next few years.
Monday, January 4, 2010
RECOGNISE CHARITY AS A VIRTUE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PAGE
THE Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boateng, has emphasised the need to inculcate the importance of charity as a virtue in nation building.
Speaking at the Akwantukese dinner dance and awards night in Koforidua, the omanhene said “charity blesses the one who receives, as well as the giver”.
He, therefore, urged corporate bodies, organisations and well-to-do individuals to be alive to their social responsibility and contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.
Individuals, institutions and companies which have made immense contributions to the progress of New Juaben Traditional Area and Ghana were honoured at the event, which was organised to round off activities of this year’s Akwantukese Festival of the chiefs and people of New Juaben.
The high point of the ceremony was the Special Certificate of Honour awarded to Nana Bobie Dankwa III, the Gyaasehene of New Juaben, for his exemplary display of confidence honesty and total loyalty to the Yiadom-Hwedie Stool and its occupant.
Two institutions and three individuals received the Daasebre Award for Excellence for their invaluable support towards the development of New Juaben and the country as a whole.
The institutions were the All Nations University College (ANUC) and the Ghana AIDS Commission. The individuals were Mr Daniel Awuah-Darko Jr, Vice Chairman of the Vanguard Assurance Company Limited; Alhaji Razak El-Alawa, a veteran journalist, and Mr Godfred Oppong-Peprah, an inventor.
Many institutions and individuals were also honoured in recognition of their exemplary fulfilment of their social responsibility towards the development of New Juaben and the successful celebration of the 2009 Akwantukese Festival.
The 2009 Akwantukese Sponsorship Awards were in five categories - Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Bauxite.
The Platinum Awards were received by the All Nations University College (ANUC), the Vanguard Assurance Limited and the Ghana AIDS Commission, while the Gold Awards went to Ghana Cocoa Board and the Merchant Bank.
The HFC Bank obtained the silver award, with the bronze award going to the Safety Insurance Company Limited, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Ghana Commercial Bank Limited.
Three companies and organisations - the Linda Dor Restaurant, the Lands Commission and Y &K Enterprise-received the Bauxite Award.
Some individuals and organisations also received certificates of commendation.
They included Cadbury Ghana Limited, Voltic Ghana Limited, Accra Breweries Limited, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Kasapreko Company Limited, Coca Cola Bottling Company, and Nana Kofi Twinin, the Managing Director of Mac-Dic Royal Plaza Hotel, for his contribution towards peace and unity in New Juaben.
Presenting the awards, the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boateng, who is also the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, said the commitment and support of the organisations, companies and individuals had enabled the traditional area to “achieve significant progress and greatness”.
He added, “It is now time for us to show appreciation and say a big thank you for your immense support,” he said.
The Omanhene said he personally believed in charity, and therefore commended the organisations, companies and individuals to continue with their charitable work.
“On behalf of the New Juaben Traditional Council, the people of the area and on my own behalf, I say ayekoo to all of you our sponsors and those who have contributed to the development of the New Juaben State and especially several others who could not receive any award,” the Omanhene said.
Speaking at the Akwantukese dinner dance and awards night in Koforidua, the omanhene said “charity blesses the one who receives, as well as the giver”.
He, therefore, urged corporate bodies, organisations and well-to-do individuals to be alive to their social responsibility and contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.
Individuals, institutions and companies which have made immense contributions to the progress of New Juaben Traditional Area and Ghana were honoured at the event, which was organised to round off activities of this year’s Akwantukese Festival of the chiefs and people of New Juaben.
The high point of the ceremony was the Special Certificate of Honour awarded to Nana Bobie Dankwa III, the Gyaasehene of New Juaben, for his exemplary display of confidence honesty and total loyalty to the Yiadom-Hwedie Stool and its occupant.
Two institutions and three individuals received the Daasebre Award for Excellence for their invaluable support towards the development of New Juaben and the country as a whole.
The institutions were the All Nations University College (ANUC) and the Ghana AIDS Commission. The individuals were Mr Daniel Awuah-Darko Jr, Vice Chairman of the Vanguard Assurance Company Limited; Alhaji Razak El-Alawa, a veteran journalist, and Mr Godfred Oppong-Peprah, an inventor.
Many institutions and individuals were also honoured in recognition of their exemplary fulfilment of their social responsibility towards the development of New Juaben and the successful celebration of the 2009 Akwantukese Festival.
The 2009 Akwantukese Sponsorship Awards were in five categories - Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Bauxite.
The Platinum Awards were received by the All Nations University College (ANUC), the Vanguard Assurance Limited and the Ghana AIDS Commission, while the Gold Awards went to Ghana Cocoa Board and the Merchant Bank.
The HFC Bank obtained the silver award, with the bronze award going to the Safety Insurance Company Limited, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Ghana Commercial Bank Limited.
Three companies and organisations - the Linda Dor Restaurant, the Lands Commission and Y &K Enterprise-received the Bauxite Award.
Some individuals and organisations also received certificates of commendation.
They included Cadbury Ghana Limited, Voltic Ghana Limited, Accra Breweries Limited, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Kasapreko Company Limited, Coca Cola Bottling Company, and Nana Kofi Twinin, the Managing Director of Mac-Dic Royal Plaza Hotel, for his contribution towards peace and unity in New Juaben.
Presenting the awards, the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boateng, who is also the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, said the commitment and support of the organisations, companies and individuals had enabled the traditional area to “achieve significant progress and greatness”.
He added, “It is now time for us to show appreciation and say a big thank you for your immense support,” he said.
The Omanhene said he personally believed in charity, and therefore commended the organisations, companies and individuals to continue with their charitable work.
“On behalf of the New Juaben Traditional Council, the people of the area and on my own behalf, I say ayekoo to all of you our sponsors and those who have contributed to the development of the New Juaben State and especially several others who could not receive any award,” the Omanhene said.
Friday, January 1, 2010
8 APPEAL TO IGP TO PROBE DETENTION (PAGE 14, DECEMBER 30)
EIGHT members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who were detained at Akwatia in December last year during the general election have appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the circumstances which led to their detention.
They also called on the Chief Justice to ensure that those responsible for their arrest were brought to justice, and that their names should be cleared of any illegal act.
The group, made up of Mr Michael Kwashie, Akwatia Constituency Deputy Organiser, David Dakuti, Issa Suleiman, Issaku Abubakr, Majid Mohamed, Kwabena Asare and Sadick Mohamed, said they were first charged with causing harm which was later on substituted with robbery.
At a press conference at Akwatia, the Akwatia Constituency Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwabena Ofori Abrokwa, who spoke on their behalf, said the eight who were arrested at dawn on December 16, 2008 were detained at Akyem Oda for causing harm.
He said they were first granted bail and made to report daily to the police, which they complied with, but were re-arrested on Christmas Day, and hurriedly arraigned before the Akyem Swedru Circuit Court the following day, a statutory holiday and remanded in custody charged with robbery.
According to the spokesperson, what beat their imagination was the withdrawal of the initial charge of causing harm and substituting it with robbery without naming the actual item or items which they had stolen.
According to Mr Abrokwa, if the robbery charge was in connection of the stolen ballot papers at Akwatia during the elections, then the best thing the police should have done was to arrest Mr Frank Ennin, a member of the then Akwatia Constituency (NPP) executive in whose house was found some ballot boxes.
Mr Abrokwa also wondered why the police did not invite the NPP members associated with the crime, whose names the police requested from the NDC.
He said the eight persons did not commit any crime to be dealt with in such an inhumane manner, adding that they and their spouses, some of whom gave birth during the period of their incarceration, had suffered serious physical and mental torture.
Mr Abrokwa, therefore, called on the IGP and the Chief Justice to go into the matter to ensure that justice took its course.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, who was the NDC parliamentary candidate for Akwatia during the elections, said it was sad that the previous NPP Administration subjected the innocent young men to such treatment.
“All we want is for the IGP and the Chief Justice to correct the wrongs of the past and clear the victims from any wrongdoing”, Baba Jamal, who was seated among the group, stated.
Earlier on Christmas Day, members of the NDC and other sympathisers of the victims had organised a candlelight procession through some of the principal streets of Akwatia in memory of the event.
According to the sympathisers, they would continue with such a procession every Christmas Day until all those behind the arrest of the victims had been dealt with.
They also called on the Chief Justice to ensure that those responsible for their arrest were brought to justice, and that their names should be cleared of any illegal act.
The group, made up of Mr Michael Kwashie, Akwatia Constituency Deputy Organiser, David Dakuti, Issa Suleiman, Issaku Abubakr, Majid Mohamed, Kwabena Asare and Sadick Mohamed, said they were first charged with causing harm which was later on substituted with robbery.
At a press conference at Akwatia, the Akwatia Constituency Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwabena Ofori Abrokwa, who spoke on their behalf, said the eight who were arrested at dawn on December 16, 2008 were detained at Akyem Oda for causing harm.
He said they were first granted bail and made to report daily to the police, which they complied with, but were re-arrested on Christmas Day, and hurriedly arraigned before the Akyem Swedru Circuit Court the following day, a statutory holiday and remanded in custody charged with robbery.
According to the spokesperson, what beat their imagination was the withdrawal of the initial charge of causing harm and substituting it with robbery without naming the actual item or items which they had stolen.
According to Mr Abrokwa, if the robbery charge was in connection of the stolen ballot papers at Akwatia during the elections, then the best thing the police should have done was to arrest Mr Frank Ennin, a member of the then Akwatia Constituency (NPP) executive in whose house was found some ballot boxes.
Mr Abrokwa also wondered why the police did not invite the NPP members associated with the crime, whose names the police requested from the NDC.
He said the eight persons did not commit any crime to be dealt with in such an inhumane manner, adding that they and their spouses, some of whom gave birth during the period of their incarceration, had suffered serious physical and mental torture.
Mr Abrokwa, therefore, called on the IGP and the Chief Justice to go into the matter to ensure that justice took its course.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, who was the NDC parliamentary candidate for Akwatia during the elections, said it was sad that the previous NPP Administration subjected the innocent young men to such treatment.
“All we want is for the IGP and the Chief Justice to correct the wrongs of the past and clear the victims from any wrongdoing”, Baba Jamal, who was seated among the group, stated.
Earlier on Christmas Day, members of the NDC and other sympathisers of the victims had organised a candlelight procession through some of the principal streets of Akwatia in memory of the event.
According to the sympathisers, they would continue with such a procession every Christmas Day until all those behind the arrest of the victims had been dealt with.
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