I’ll not meddle in chieftaincy matters – Mahama Ayariga
The Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has assured that he will not interfere in chieftaincy affairs.
He says the Constitution frowns on any attempt by a Minister of State to meddle in chieftaincy affairs; therefore, he will not do so.
“Chieftaincy is one sensitive area, and the first thing everybody has to understand is that no Minister of State has the authority under our Constitution to interfere or meddle in chieftaincy matters,” he said during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday, August 27.
He assured that he would live up to expectations when sworn into office. He specifically assured the Mamprugu Traditional Council and the people of Ghana that he will discharge his duties with fairness, neutrality, and impartiality if approved by Parliament.
He was responding to concerns raised by the Mamprugu Traditional Council regarding his ability to remain neutral in the performance of his responsibilities.
He said, “My mother is a Mamprusi, and they are my uncles, and they are partly responsible for my upbringing and training me. If I fail in this new job, then it means that there is a defect in the way they have trained me, and I believe that they trained me well, and I will vindicate them by living up to their expectations.
“I can promise my grandfather, the Nayiri, that in my capacity as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, I will definitely live up to his expectations.”
Mr. Ayariga also used the vetting occasion to touch on the National Cathedral project introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration. He told the committee that the National Cathedral was a good idea that was badly implemented.
Mr. Ayariga said Ghana’s deeply religious character made places of worship an important part of national life. He highlighted the widespread presence of churches, mosques, and other religious facilities across the country. He, therefore, said he saw no fundamental problem with the concept of a National Cathedral.
He stressed, however, that he had concerns about aspects of the project’s implementation, including its location.
Mr. Ayariga said any decision on the future of the project should follow consultations with the Christian community and the President before steps are taken towards its completion.
He said that although he had reservations about the way the project was implemented in the past, he supported the idea of establishing a national cathedral for Ghana’s Christian community.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with the idea, but I think it was a good idea that was badly implemented,” he said.
Mr. Ayariga also disclosed that he had concerns about the location selected for the project.
“I want to assure this House that if I am approved, I will engage the leadership of the Christian community, and if they still want to have it, I will engage with the President, and if it is his wish, I will mobilise funds for its construction,” he said.
Source:theboysonline.com
