The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has made a passionate appeal to the government and key development partners to step up financial and logistical support for both Regional and National Houses of Chiefs across the country.
Speaking at the Northern Peace Conference held in Tamale, the Bawku Central Member of Parliament underscored the crucial role traditional leaders play in conflict management. He stated that resourcing these traditional institutions remains essential to accelerating the resolution of lingering chieftaincy disputes that continue to threaten national stability and economic progress.
The Minister pointed out that unresolved chieftaincy and land disputes serve as major drivers of violence, particularly in the northern belt. He stressed the urgent need for proactive conflict prevention, early intervention mechanisms, and the strategic deployment of eminent chiefs as frontline mediators to foster harmony among factions.
Beyond traditional dispute resolution, the local government minister highlighted economic empowerment as a vital pillar for securing long-term stability. He outlined strategic investments in agriculture, agro-processing, youth employment initiatives, and local economic development as critical pathways toward sustainable peace, noting that improved livelihoods significantly reduce the appeal of violence among young people.
Underscoring that security operations alone cannot guarantee tranquility without justice, dialogue, and economic opportunity, Mahama Ayariga advocated for the Northern Peace Conference to be institutionalised as an annual gathering to monitor progress and consolidate peacebuilding efforts in the region.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
