The Ethiopian Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Ghana, Ambassador Teferi Fikre Gossaye has appealed to the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng and the Ministry to enlighten his country on the Chieftaincy institution in Ghana and its contribution to national development.
According to him, he has been to several gatherings since he came to Ghana and observed that each occasion had the presence of Traditional Authorities who play one role or the other at the events. He indicated that in his country, they had monarchies, but these structures have been difficult to blend into Ghana and wondered how Ghana did it.
Ambassador Gossaye made this comment when he paid a visit to the Ministry for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in Accra on Tuesday, 28th May, 2024. He informed the Ministry that his country would want to understudy Ghana on how governance and the Chieftaincy institution co-exist and operate peacefully and their contribution to national development.
He was also hopeful that his country could also be enlightened on the chieftaincy structures, the roles and responsibilities, the legal framework and dispute resolution mechanism. This he noted would enable Ethiopia to build their Chieftaincy Institution to work effectively with governance.
For his part, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs expressed his excitement on the collaborations and the issues raised.
He explained that Ghana was very keen on the Chieftaincy Institution as the institution existed even before Colonization.
He noted that every political administration revered the chieftaincy institution and ensures to work hand-in-hand with the chiefs. He emphasized that the chiefs had a role to play in national development and their roles and structures emanate from the local level right to the national level.
He outlined the structures and procedures chieftaincy cases go through, highlighting that not all cases need the attention of the court as some go through the Traditional Council, the regional house and then the National house of Chiefs and that was house disputes were resolved.
Hon. Asamoah Boateng commended the Ambassador for taking the initiative to continue to deepen the existing relationship between the two countries, stating that this will go a long way to benefit both countries.
