By; Jones Anlimah
The Volta Regional House of Chiefs intend to introduce mediation and conciliation as alternative methods to address the growing number of chieftaincy disputes in the region. According to the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, this approach will also aim to minimize litigation and foster peace in the region.
Speaking at a meeting of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs at Ho, the regional capital, Togbe Hodo IV, emphasized the importance of finding amicable solutions to chieftaincy disputes that have often hindered the development of the region.
He noted that the steady rise in the number of such disputes, which is nearing 50, pose a significant challenge to the region’s development and progress.
According to Togbe, it is the hope of the House that the mediation and conciliation procedures will provide a quicker, more collaborative approach to resolving disputes, allowing communities to move forward without prolonged legal battles.
“We won’t always be at each other’s throats because of chieftaincy matters. Sometimes we need to sit down with the opposing parties and see how we can mediate and reconcile for the good of the communities,” Togbe Tapre Hodo IV stated.
He also shared that the arbitration system, which the House had previously introduced, have seen some success in settling disputes, notably in the cases of Vume and Podowoe chieftaincy disputes and urged chiefs and stakeholders to embrace mediation and conciliation as more sustainable alternatives that will benefit communities across the region.
Togbe Tapre Hodo IV further called on all parties involved in ongoing disputes to cooperate with the judicial committees of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and allow them to carry out their work without interference.
He encouraged the adoption of these alternative dispute resolution methods, not only at the regional level but also at traditional council levels, to ensure that conflicts are resolved in a way that fosters unity and development.
“So instead of going the route of arbitration parties can just sit down, mediate and reach a compromise for the good of the community. So I want all of us to start thinking about that aspect of it. This is not going to be limited to the regional house of chiefs but I expect that it will go way down to the traditional council levels as well so that we all help to minimise these incidents and progress as a region”, Togbe added
There are 39 chieftaincy disputes currently before the various judicial committees of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.
As chieftaincy disputes continue to challenge the progress of the region, the regional house of Chiefs remain optimistic that this new approach will help reduce conflicts to the barest minimum and ensure peace and prosperity for the Volta Region.
