Akwamuhene, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, has called for regular consultation between the members of the Asuogyaman District Assembly and the Chiefs in the area to enhance smooth and orderly governance of the districts.

Speaking at the district’s council meeting, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III in a speech said it is essential for the assembly members to have access to the wisdom of the chiefs in dealing with the issues of the districts.

It was the first time in about 40 years that the chiefs of the area were invited to participate in the district meeting.

“Chieftaincy and customary law, which is the law obtained through custom in the district are guaranteed as sources of governance for the nation and for that matter for the districts,” Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III explained.

He said unity among the assembly members and the chiefs will increase good social and economic development in the district.

“A structured collaboration between traditional leaders and political leaders can ensure equal development of the district,” Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III said.

“It will help in the even distribution of resources and projects to ensure no area is left or abandoned,” he stated.

He advised the Assembly to include the chiefs and other major stakeholders in the district in making decisions regarding the constituency.

Read full speech:

Odeneho’s speech at the Asuogyaman District Assembly today, 19th December, 2018

Hon. Presiding Member, Hon. DCE, Hon. Member of Parliament, Nananom, Assembly Members, ladies and gentlemen. I feel honoured to be here with you today.

My visit today in this august house is not to find any fault in whatever you're doing here, but to use the occasion to call for a structured and regular consultation between the Assembly and Nananom for the smooth and orderly governance of the district by the Assembly.

Here are the reason:

• Governance of the nation is, by law, achieved through governance of the districts by the Assemblies.

• And what is law? Our constitution says in Article 11 that the laws of Ghana include customary law.

• And how do we obtain customary law?

Through the chiefs and their people in any traditional area, through their history and continuing experiences in the traditional area.

• And Article 270 guarantees chieftaincy.

• Chieftaincy and customary law, which is the law obtained through custom in the district are therefore guaranteed as sources of governance for the nation and for that matter for the districts.

It is for this reason that the 1992 constitution created the institution of the Council of State. So that through that institution, the President, will have access to the wisdom of Nananom.

Advice To The President:

It therefore seems wise that although the constitution does not prescribe a council of state at the district level, there is the need for a structured and regular consultation between the leadership of the Assembly and Nananom.

Then we would have borrowed from how the President governs the nation, through the wisdom of the Council of State, to govern the district, by also taking advice from Nananom within the district in a regular and structured manner.

• The benefits of such a structured and regular consultation may include the following:

1. Advise from such consultations on the issue of permits in general and building permits in particular
2. Revenue generation
3. Allocation of some projects to areas of need as no one knows the needs of all the corners of the district better that the chiefs in the district
4. It will help in the even distribution of resources and projects to ensure no area is left or abandoned
5. Although the Assembly men and women are doing a good job bringing information to the Assembly, the Assembly will however have yet another source of information from all corners of the district from Nananom
6. Input from Nananom on issues of education, health and discipline for our children in the district

I take this opportunity to entreat the Assembly to try and invite Nananom including Anum and Boso and other stakeholders in the constituency.

Our constituency is the most diverse members in the country if I am not mistaken therefore, we need unity among us for good social - Economic development in the district.

Thank you and God bless.