Let's end Sefwi chieftaincy dispute

04-11-08
Page 31

THE Sefwi Citizens Association in Accra has appealed to the factions involved in the Sefwi chieftaincy dispute to unite and work together for an amicable settlement of the dispute.
It also stressed the need for Ghanaians, especially those from Sefwi, “to put their hands on the wheel to assist in the speedy resolution of the dispute”.
Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, the Patron of the association, Mr Francis Assuah, said Sefwi citizens pledged their unflinching support and commitment to any move that would see to the early resolution of the dispute, which, according to him, was eroding their pride.
He said for the period (about two years) the dispute had lasted, divisiveness, hatred and fanaticism had been the order of the day, adding that posterity would not be kind to the factions should they preside over the destruction of the Sefwi state during their life time.
The Yam festival, which had not been celebrated for sometime now, he said, was an occasion that fostered unity among the Sefwis.
“To say that the dispute has brought most economic activities in the area to a standstill will be an understatement. In fact, there has not been any meaningful development in the area since the dispute erupted,” he stated.
Mr Assuah indicated that the dispute had been a drain on the District Assembly’s coffers, saying that the well-being of soldiers who had been stationed at Sefwi Wiawso to maintain peace and order for the past years had been the responsibility of the assembly.
According to him, the area was gradually being isolated from national activities, and cited the change of venue in the celebration of last year’s International Cocoa Day from Wiawso to Bibiani due to security reasons.
He added that the chieftaincy problem might have also accounted for Wiawso not being elevated when a number of district assemblies that were contemporaries of Wiawso were elevated to municipal status recently.
Mr Assuah said a number of politicians would be visiting the area for campaigns and asked how the people would have a common front to demand their share of the national cake.
“As the saying goes, when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. In this case, it is the development of the area, the sense of pride as a people and the innocent and law-abiding Sefwis who are suffering,” he emphasised and said the fact that the dispute had not resulted in violence and loss of life proved that the Sefwis were peaceful by nature.
The chairman of the association, Mr Stephen Kwayie, reminded the factions that no investor would go to an area that was conflict-prone.