Traditional leaders have a crucial role in governance – Otumfuo

General News of Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Source: ghananewsagency.org

2019-04-16

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, urged traditional leaders to strive to put their knowledge and expertise at the service of the nation's development process, in the interest of the people.

"Heads and chieftaincies have been the seat of" government "for many years in our various traditional localities since time immemorial.

"In our way, we help our people settle disputes; we educate them on the proper interpretation and application of customary laws and practices and, more importantly, we help them improve their socio-economic life, "Asantehene noted.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, addressing the inaugural meeting of Chancellor's Week in Kumasi, pointed out that because of this direct relationship between chiefs and the people, they were aware of the needs and aspirations of the mbades.

"I think this knowledge is an excellent tool that can be used to help the central government develop the right policies and strategies to improve our country," he said.

The program, jointly organized by the Board of Directors of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Manhyia Palace, is part of the activities marking the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the burial of Asantehene, the 16th occupying of the gold stool.

"Promoting culture, innovation and technology: Otumfuo's dynamism after 20 years" is the theme of the Week.

Many activities, including an exhibition, a colloquium, sports activities, a food fair, "Abakosem" (story), Chancellor 's night and day, had been organized in 2006 in honor of the. Asantehene, whose inauguration as Chancellor of KNUST took place. .

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said that the anniversary marked the dawn of a "fresh start in Ashanti, to tap the opportunities aligned with government programs – working in partnership with Ghanaian companies to s & # 39; venturing into sectors generating economic benefits for the population.

"This celebration is essentially a wake-up call for Ghana's traditional leaders to work with the government as nodes of continuity and improve the socio-economic impact as well as the livelihoods of the people within them." communities of Ghana as a whole, "the Chancellor said.

Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso, Vice Chancellor of KNUST, congratulated Asantehene for her visionary leadership, which had helped to positively transform the University.