By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Naja (NE/R), Sept 27, GNA – A group calling itself Concerned Elders, Opinion Leaders and Citizens of Naja community in the Chereponi District of the North East Region have expressed concern and disappointment over the installation of a rival chief at Naja.
The group, which expressed the disappointment at a press conference at Naja, addressed by Mr Solomon Banabi, its Spokesperson, said the installation of the rival chief was allegedly facilitated by Mr Amadu Kofi Sheini, Chereponi District Chief Executive (DCE).
Some community members, who were at the press conference, carried placards with various inscriptions including “Naja needs development from DCE and not rival chief”, “Don’t divide us, we need peace in Naja”, “Using your position to enskin chiefs is a gross abuse of public office”, and “The worst DCE we ever had in our district.”
Mr Banabi said “Historically, Naja has had only one recognized chief since time immemorial. Following the demise of the late chief, a successor was duly selected and enskinned in accordance with the customs, traditions and accepted practices governing the Naja chieftaincy institution.”
He said “However, shortly after the lawful enskinment of the new chief, another group within the community, began seeking support from the DCE to facilitate the installation of a different individual as chief of the same community.”
He said “Despite several efforts by elders, opinion leaders and concerned stakeholders to impress upon the DCE the need to remain neutral and allow due traditional and legal processes to prevail, those efforts yielded no positive results.”
He said “It became apparent that the DCE together with certain collaborators pursued efforts outside the knowledge and involvement of the Chereponi Traditional Council to secure authorization for the enskinment of the rival claimant.”
Mr Banani said this had heightened tensions within the Naja community and threatened the peace and unity that had long existed among its people.
He called on the the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Regional Coordinating Council, the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs and the relevant security agencies to investigate the matter and take the necessary steps to ensure that the rule of law was upheld.
He said “We further urge all parties involved to exercise restraint and allow the competent traditional and judicial institutions to determine the matter through the appropriate legal and customary channels.”
GNA/
Edited by Albert Futukpor /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Writer’s Email: [email protected]