By Emelia B. Addae
Aburi (E/R), Sept. 22, GNA – The Eastern Regional Peace Council has organised a two-day capacity-building workshop for traditional leaders in the Akuapem Adonten Traditional Area and local government officials to strengthen traditional governance and promote sustainable peace.
The workshop, held at Aburi under the theme, “Strengthening Traditional Governance for Sustainable Peace,” was supported by the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly.
Professor Mark Boadu, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Peace Council, said the programme was designed to equip chiefs and elders with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively administer their traditional areas, particularly in the fair settlement of chieftaincy, land disputes and other conflicts.
He said when disputes were handled appropriately at the palace, with all parties satisfied that the process was fair and just, there would be less need for litigants to seek redress in court.
Prof. Boadu said that would also help reduce the workload and pressure on the courts.
He disclosed that the 2025 Eastern Regional Peace Index showed that about 61 per cent of conflicts recorded in the region were largely related to chieftaincy issues, followed by land disputes.
He said the Council would extend the capacity-building programme to traditional leaders in other paramountcies across the region to help address conflicts associated with traditional governance and land.
Topics treated included the principles of natural justice in traditional adjudication, legal provisions relating to adjudication of cases, local economic development, investment and entrepreneurship.
Lawyer Alex Nartey, a resource person, said chiefs played a critical role in governance and had adjudicatory authority to address matters affecting chieftaincy, including serving as customary arbitrators.
He said traditional leaders could also serve as mediators under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act, making them important actors in conflict resolution.
Lawyer Nartey said mediation and adjudication required neutrality and fairness, adding that “when cases are handled through a fair process, disputing parties are more likely to accept and respect the outcome.”
Mr Paul Osae Offei, Akuapem South Municipal Chief Executive, said the Assembly was committed to promoting peace, adding that sustainable peace depended largely on the commitment of traditional authorities.
He described the workshop as timely and pledged the Assembly’s continued support for similar programmes to strengthen the capacity of traditional authorities and promote peace in the municipality.
Nana Kwasi Amanor I, Amankrado Ankobeahene of Aburi, who spoke on behalf of the Krontihene of the Adonten Traditional Area, expressed appreciation to the organisers of the programme.
He said the workshop had deepened the understanding and skills of chiefs and elders in traditional adjudication and other areas covered.
Nana Amanor said the knowledge acquired would contribute to efforts to reduce conflicts, particularly chieftaincy and land-related disputes, which accounted for a significant proportion of conflicts recorded in the 2025 Eastern Regional Peace Index.
GNA
Editing by D. I. Laary/Benjamin Mensa
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae
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