The Upper East Regional house of chiefs has inaugurated the paramount chief of the Zuarungu traditional area, Nana Bilia Malitinga Afegra III and acceptedb him into the house.
The Zuarungu traditional area has since 1963, when it’s Paramountcy status was transferred to the Bolga traditional area, battled the Regional House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs for the reinstatement of its Paramountcy status.
Several chiefs of the area and other key stakeholders have made various efforts to resolve the issue with little success.
The Zuarungu Paramountcy status has since been been at the National House of Chiefs for redress.
The National House of Chief ruled in favour of the Zuarungu Traditional Area and retained it’s Paramountcy status as an independent area with the power to enskin sub chiefs under it’s jurisdiction.
The Upper East Regional house of chief on 20th August then inaugurated the Zuarungu Naaba, Caesar Afegra, Bilia Maltinga III where he took the oath of office and the oath of secrecy. The house subsequently accepted and welcomed him into the Regional House of Chiefs as a paramount chief and a permanent member.
The president of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Naba Olando A. Awuni III said the inauguration of the Zuarungu chief was a historic one because it is a day that the Zuarubgu chief will be sworn in as a permanent member of the house
“the day is also historic one as for the first time the paramount chief of zuarungu will be sworn in as a permanent member of the house.”
“The occasion therefore, marks a very historic milestone in the annals of this house and the people of Zuarungu Tradtional area. May I therefor congratulate the chiefs and people of zuarungu and welcome Naba Bilia Malitinga Afegra III into the fold.
The Regional house of chiefs in Bolgatanga was filled to capacity as both indigenes, residents and we’ll wishers throng the premises to observe the historic swearing in Ceremony amidst drumming and dancing .
The people of the Zuarungu traditional area are been represented in the house of chiefs as a paramount chief for the first time after over 50 years when it’s Paramountcy status was taken from it.
Dr. Dominic Akuriting Ayine, the Member of Parliament for the Bolga East constituency and former deputy Attorney General, disclosed that he had to take a strong interest to ensure that Zuarungu traditional area reclaims its Paramountcy status.
“When I became the chairman of the legislative committee in Parliament and the legislative instrument was brought before our committee and I saw Zuarungu’s name on the sheet, several petitions were brought against some of the chiefs but I made sure that we push the document through to ensure that it gets the 21 days which qualifies it for passage. I pleaded with the committee members not to comment on the LI should it come before parliament for deliberations because Zuarungu’s name was on the list. So we made sure that it was passed and that is the reason why we have our Paramountcy today”
Naba Bilia Namalten delivering his message at his palace in Zuarungu said the people of Zuarungu now feel some respite and peace after the long history of the struggle for it’s Paramountcy status.
“Naba Ayeltge fought for the reinstatement of the Paramountcy status till his death, Naba Azibalom also continued the fight till his death.”
“When I took over I together with key stakeholders and friends of Zuarungu continued the fight to reclaim what is rightfully ours. Mr. Malik , Dr. Dominic Ayine, some chiefs and some prominent people helped us to win this case with many travels to the national house of chiefs. Today we have reclaimed our thing. What shall we say? We are happy and we give glory to God. “
Naba Afegra Called for a united front to see the total development of the area. He also called on governments to stop the sod cutting but rather start construction of various facilities before cutting sod
“I am telling Dominic Ayine and DCE that any of them that wants vote should buy an exercise book and document all their achievements with pictures to evidence the various projects they have undertaken.”
I am also advising the DCE and Dominic Ayine to stop the sod cutting. When a project come they should not focus on sod cutting. They should go and lay the foundation before cutting sod because there are many instances where government come to cut sod but later abandon it”
Naba Ceaser called on all indigenes of Zuarungu and chiefs to look at establishing a development fund where all workers will pay 2% of their monthly income into the fund for various developmental projects.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Madam Nadia Musah who works at the office of the president, Dr. Dominic Ayine, Member of Parliament for Bolga East, Hon. Isaac Adongo-Bolga central MP, COP Patrick Akolgo, prof. Baba Aluzele, Frafra Chief of Kumaasi Moshie Zongo and other prominent citizens of Zuarungu and Bolga East region.
Other thirteen sub-chiefs were also sworn into into the house as new members.