Volta chiefs receive training to strengthen customary justice, reduce disputes

Ho, Sept. 12, GNA – The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (VRHC) and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), has organised a training workshop to build the capacity of Judicial Committees in handling chieftaincy and related disputes.

The workshop, which opened on Thursday, September 11, was held on the theme: “Strengthening Customary Justice: Building Capacity to Reduce Chieftaincy Disputes in the Volta Region.”

Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in his address, underscored the crucial role of Judicial Committees in promoting peace, fairness, and stability within traditional governance. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the chieftaincy institution to preserve its integrity and safeguard Ghana’s cultural heritage.

He disclosed that the ongoing review of the Chieftaincy Act was intended to modernise traditional leadership laws, streamline dispute resolution mechanisms, and integrate traditional authorities more effectively into the local governance system. The reforms, he explained, would empower chiefs to actively support community development and enhance accountability at the district level.

Mr. Prosper Bani, National Security Adviser to the President, described the workshop as timely, noting that the Volta Region alone has recorded more than 60 chieftaincy disputes. He stressed that customary justice, often the first point of call for citizens, must be strengthened through training, documentation, inclusivity, and ethical leadership.

“When chieftaincy thrives, peace thrives; when it falters, entire communities are destabilised,” he cautioned.

Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, pledged closer collaboration with traditional authorities to maintain peace and stability in the region. He said peace was central to attracting investment under the government’s flagship economic programmes and urged chiefs to help reduce tensions associated with chieftaincy conflicts.

Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, President of the VRHC, expressed gratitude to the Ministry and VRCC for supporting the initiative. He revealed that 69 chieftaincy disputes had been recorded in the region as of July this year, adding that the workshop would help Judicial Committees expedite cases, strengthen mediation, and promote reconciliation.

He emphasised that dialogue and reconciliation remained critical in resolving disputes and urged traditional councils to adopt such mechanisms to minimise protracted conflicts in their jurisdictions.