Chieftaincy disputes not a factor for under development in Western Region – Joe Baidoe-Ansah – Skyy Power FM

The former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Kwesiminstsim Constituency, Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah says the numerous chieftaincy disputes cannot be a factor for underdevelopment in the Western Region.

He says development should be the responsibility of the government and so division among traditional leaders cannot be used as an excuse to starve the region of development.

Speaking to Skyy Power FM’s journalist Alex Tagoe, Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah says he agrees the Western Region needs to put their house in order but since the region contributes so much to the national cake, the region must also get an equal contribution to its development.

He said, “Development must be the responsibility of the government when there is division among traditional leaders, it doesn’t mean anything, I agree that we have to put our house in order but I don’t think that should be the reason… The reason now is we contribute so much to the country that we will need unequal contribution to development here.”

“There have been situations where instead of people to ask for development for the region, they rather ask what is in it for them…”

Speaking on illegal mining, he said in order for the government to fight illegal mining effectively, enforcing the rules and empowering traditional rulers to be part of the mining regime will bring a stop to it.

He said, “I think the government should look at the fight with another eye, illegal mining is destroying resources in our region.”

“We have to all find solutions to it, we think that enforcing the rules and empowering traditional rulers will help stop it… Because the chiefs do not play any role in the licensing regime, they see illegal miners and since they are not empowered, they do nothing.”