A traditional leader in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, Naab Bileehsing Lanwont Namoog, has called for reforms in the region’s chieftaincy system, arguing that the current structure limits the ability of traditional leaders to contribute collectively to the region’s development.
Naab Bileehsing, of the Kotintabig Traditional Area under the Sakoti Traditional Council, says capable divisional chiefs should have opportunities to attain paramountcy where appropriate, rather than remain under traditional areas with large numbers of divisional chiefs.
Speaking on Bolga FM’s Tooma La Dengo Sanga, he questioned the rationale for one paramount chief presiding over dozens of divisional chiefs without mechanisms for capable leaders to progress.
“Why would one paramount chief preside over thirty-two divisional chiefs? Why? How will we grow? How will we grow? That is not the way we should go.”
He argued that some divisional chiefs possess significant educational and professional experience, including PhD holders, which he believes could strengthen traditional administration and deliberations at the Regional House of Chiefs if they are given greater opportunities.
Naab Bileehsing maintained that elevating a divisional chief should not be interpreted as challenging the authority of an existing paramount chief.
“If you elevate me, I am not coming to take [your authority]. The thing is that I will still honour you as the one, the senior authority,” he said.
He also linked what he described as the fragmented nature of traditional leadership in the Upper East to difficulties in building a unified voice on regional development issues.
He cited the separate traditional leadership structures in areas including Kasena-Nankana, Bawku and Bolgatanga, contrasting them with the Ya-Na and Wa Naa traditional authorities in the Northern and Upper West regions respectively.
“Our chieftaincy has a problem. The fragmented chieftaincy that we have in the region is the problem causing all that. We are fragmented.”
According to him, greater unity among traditional authorities could strengthen advocacy on issues affecting the region, including infrastructure and political representation.
He questioned why the Upper East has not recorded what he considers comparable growth in parliamentary constituencies.
Naab Bileehsing recalled that following the creation of the Upper East and Upper West regions from the former Upper Region, the area that became the Upper East had 16 constituencies while Upper West had 12.
He argued that subsequent changes have widened the representation gap and called for stronger collective action by traditional leaders and other stakeholders.
Naab Bileehsing further argued that the creation or elevation of traditional areas could potentially open additional opportunities for development projects, including schools and other public infrastructure.
He stressed, however, that such reforms should respect existing traditional authorities and promote cooperation rather than rivalry.
He is therefore calling for a chieftaincy system that combines respect for established traditional authorities with opportunities for capable divisional chiefs to advance and contribute to the development of the Upper East Region.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Moses Anaba| Bolgatanga
