By Philip Tengzu
Wa (UW/R), Jan. 31, GNA –Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has urged MMDCEs to collaborate with traditional authorities to implement the 24-hour economy initiative, especially in constructing modern markets nationwide.
He said traditional leaders played a pivotal role in the success of the initiative and other development programmes, especially in matters relating to land acquisition and community acceptance of projects.
Mr Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Banda Constituency in the Bono Region, made the call during a familiarisation visit to the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs (UWRHC) in Wa.
The Minister was responding to recent media reports suggesting that the Wa Municipal Assembly planned to demolish the Tendamba Junior High School to pave way for the construction of a 24-hour economy market, a development that had attracted public criticism.
He emphasised that government had no intention of demolishing the school for the project, stressing that lessons must be learnt from past experiences where properties were destroyed for projects that failed to materialise.
“Traditional authorities are particularly needed to support this process by making available suitable land to facilitate the construction of this market. As government and ministers, we do not own land,” Mr Ibrahim said.
“The traditional leaders are the custodians of the land and therefore your role is to ensure that suitable, strategic and available land is provided for the construction of the market,” he explained.
Drawing parallels with the demolition of state properties for the proposed National Cathedral project, which stalled after houses were pulled down, Mr Ibrahim cautioned against hasty decisions that could negatively affect communities.
“The market must be built, but we must join forces, share ideas, and consult one another to identify another strategic location. We cannot say we will raise a whole school for a project when we have learnt painful lessons from demolishing judges’ houses for a cathedral that did not materialise,” he observed.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the 24-hour economy initiative was implemented in a manner that promoted inclusive development, safeguarded social infrastructure and respected local customs and institutions.
He also assured the chiefs of the government’s resolve to strengthen the chieftaincy institution and support its role in national development, peacebuilding, and local governance.
Kuoro Abu Diaka Sukabe Ninia V, Vice President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, commended the government for its engagement with traditional leaders and for the support extended to the House to enable it function effectively.
He assured the Minister of the House’s readiness to collaborate with the government to promote good governance, peace, and development in the region.
Kuoro Ninia V appealed to the government to provide vehicles for the Regional House of Chiefs, improve office equipment, renovate the House’s building, and establish traditional councils in parts of the region that currently lacked them.
He also called for capacity-building programmes for traditional leaders to enable them to adapt to the changing governance environment and contribute meaningfully to development within the democratic system.
“Even though our administration is community-based, it fits into the functions of local governance and district assemblies. Most of us need the capacity to function adequately and contribute significantly to the development of our assemblies and our people,” he said.
The Minister was accompanied by MMDCEs in the Upper West Region and Members of Parliament from the area, who later held engagements with the chiefs on development priorities and collaborative governance.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /Linda Asante Agyei