The National Queen Mothers’ Platform (QMP)-Ghana has congratulated the former Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, on his appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The Queen Mothers noted that the appointment was in recognition of Mr. Ayariga’s experience, competence and commitment to public service, expressing confidence in his leadership qualities and what he would bring to the Ministry.
In a congratulatory message to the Minister on behalf of the Paramount Queen Mothers Platform, the President of the QMP-Ghana and Paramount Queen Mother of the Osudoku Traditional Area, Nana Amponsah Dokua, who spoke with 3News on phone, said the platform was particularly encouraged by the appointment because the new Minister is not new to issues confronting the traditional institution and Queen Mothers across the country.
The Paramount Queen Mothers identified persistent chieftaincy disputes and conflicts in several traditional areas as their major concern, noting that such disputes, in some instances, undermine peace, unity and development in various traditional areas across the country.
The Osudoku Paramount Queen Mother expressed optimism that, under Mr. Ayariga’s leadership, renewed efforts would be made to address long-standing chieftaincy-related challenges and promote peaceful coexistence within the traditional sector.
The Platform, she stressed, also drew the Minister’s attention to difficulties encountered by some Queen Mothers in the discharge of their traditional responsibilities, including alleged intimidation and undue pressure from some Chiefs.
Another major concern they raised was the exclusion of Queen Mothers from decision-making processes affecting women in their communities, despite their integral role in the various traditional councils and community development.
According to Nana Dokua, such situations could undermine the authority, dignity and effectiveness of Queen Mothers and limit their ability to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
The Queen Mothers therefore appealed to Mr. Ayariga to help create an enabling environment in which Queen Mothers could effectively perform their traditional and developmental roles without intimidation or unnecessary restrictions.
The Paramount Queen Mother said strengthening the position and voice of Queen Mothers would, in turn, strengthen the traditional institution as it would ultimately pave the way for them to contribute significantly to national development.
The QMP-Ghana pledged its full support and cooperation to the Minister in the discharge of his duties, indicating its readiness to work closely with the Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to promote peace, unity and development.
They expressed hope that Mr. Ayariga’s tenure would bring renewed attention to the major concerns of Queen Mothers as they yearn to contribute significantly to finding lasting solutions to some of the challenges confronting the various traditional areas across the country.
By Robert Abilba
