Nsein Omanhene lauds idea for Royal College for chiefs

Nsein (W/R) Sept. 4, GNA - Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, Omanhene of the Nsein Traditional Area has said the proposed Royal College for traditional rulers was commendable and must begin soon. He said this would assist in reducing the increasing cases of destoolment, double sale of lands, litigations, multiple entoolment of chiefs and also enhance the exchange of ideas, cultures and traditions among chiefs.

Awulae Kwame II was speaking to the media at Nsein on Saturday on the proposed "Royal College" for traditional rulers by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD).

He said presently, several prospective traditional rulers had either travelled overseas, or were pursuing higher education and hardly stayed in their traditional localities.

"These prospective traditional rulers who may have acquired knowledge through such expositions, are usually not conversant with their own traditions, cultures and norms and usually attempt to introduce foreign practices into their traditional area and by so doing end up creating confusion.

Awulae Kwame II said: "It will be too gloomy for the chieftaincy institution to be neglected and left to its own fate since many of its potential successors, are constantly on move improving on their education, learning new cultures and missing out on their own traditions, cultures and habits".

He hinted that many king makers and other royals would not allow their traditions to be trampled upon and would use all means to either destool or compel the chief to abdicate. Awulae Kwame II urged the MLGRD, not to hesitate to establish the college, but appealed to the Ministry to use only qualified instructors who would restore hope and confidence in the institution. "This College of royals could sharpen the skills of existing traditional rulers and assist them to modify outmoded customs; traditions and cultural practices that usually generate into conflict among the rulers and their subjects" he added.

He noted that the role of the chieftaincy institution was so vital that it should not be denied the opportunity of transformation. Awulae Kwame noted that traditional rulers must be made to understand modern financial administration, investment, marketing, social, economic, human rights and other relevant issues to enable them to direct the development of their traditional areas to meet the demands of the modern world.

He stressed that through such a system, traditional rulers from various parts of the country could meet, plan and share ideas and ways by which they could each learn from their colleagues and use such experiences to improve themselves and their traditional areas.