Modern Chiefs must empower their people for development, not wage wars – Naaba Anontara
Naaba Clement Asakiya Anontara says modern traditional leadership should focus on fighting poverty, promoting education and fostering peace rather than engaging in conflicts.
The Chief of the Agayea Divisional Area of Doba in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality. Naaba Clement Asakiya Anontara, has said the greatest challenge facing modern traditional leaders is no longer defending their communities through warfare but empowering their people to overcome poverty, ignorance, unemployment, and underdevelopment.
Speaking on Voices of Change on Mike FM on Saturday, June 27, Naaba Anontara explained that the role of chiefs has evolved from winning battles to promoting education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and community development.
“In the past, a chief’s greatest challenge was defending the community and winning wars against enemies. Today, the greatest battle is against poverty, ignorance, unemployment, and underdevelopment,” he said.
“The chief’s role today is to empower, motivate, and unite the people so they can improve their lives through education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and community development. The true measure of leadership is no longer the land won in war, but the opportunities created for the people.”
The chief also urged traditional leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements, noting that the words of a chief carry significant influence and must always promote peace and unity.
“In my short time as chief, I have come to realise that my voice carries weight. The voice of a chief is not an ordinary voice; it is a voice of authority and influence. Every statement has the power to unite or divide, encourage or discourage. Therefore, a chief must weigh his words carefully before speaking,” he stated.
Naaba Anontara further described peace as the foundation of development, stressing that communities cannot achieve meaningful progress without stability.
“As a landlord or chief, whenever even a minor conflict arises, you are duty-bound to resolve it as quickly and as fairly as practicable so that the people will have confidence in your leadership and continue to live together peacefully,” he said.
On preserving cultural heritage, the chief expressed concern that traditional values and customs are gradually fading. He, however, noted that festivals such as Fao, Dunseema, and other traditional celebrations provide important opportunities to educate younger generations about their culture, values, and heritage.
He maintained that culture should always serve the welfare of the people, adding that harmful practices have no place in modern society.
“There is no traditional principle that is intended to destroy the very people who practise it. Any cultural practice that no longer serves the interests of the people should be abolished, just as female genital mutilation and child marriage have been rejected,” he said.
Naaba Anontara also called on chiefs to remain honest, transparent, and impartial when resolving disputes, warning against favouritism or attempts to please one party at the expense of another. He encouraged stronger collaboration among traditional authorities to prevent conflicts and foster peaceful coexistence.
He further appealed to the public to prioritise traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, describing them as a “win-win” approach that promotes reconciliation, unlike court litigation, which often produces winners and losers.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Cynthia Afaah
