The Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has elected the Paramount Chief of Chiana, Pe Dituudini Adiali Ayagitam III, as its new president.
The election, held on Wednesday 16th September 2020, comes after the four-year term of the old executives elapsed.
Pe Dituudini Adiali Ayagitam III won with 19 votes, beating his two other contenders, the Paramount Chief of Sandema, Nab Azagsuk Azantilow who polled 6 votes, and the Paramount chief of Kayoro, Pe Oscar Batabi Tiyiamu II who obtained 3 votes.
The Paramount Chief of Mirigu, Naba Anonsona Anthony Abisa, emerged the new Vice President of the House after polling 18 votes to beat the Paramount Chief of Kologo, Naba Clifford Abagna Asobayire, who got 10 votes.
Pe Dituudini Adiali Ayagitam III and Naba Anonsona Anthony Abisa take over as President and Vice President from the Paramount Chief of Naaga, Naba Orlando Ayamga Awini II, and Paramount Chief of Bongo, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyarum Atamale, respectively.
Speaking to Word News, the newly elected President said he would seek the support of the other chiefs to refurbish the office building of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs to befit the status of the House.
“I’m very particular about how all of us in the country as chiefs can coordinate and make sure that the institution, the noble institution, the revered institution, restores its dignity,” he said.
Whilst stating that he would ensure that the House was always consulted under any government about the development of the region, Pe Dituudini Adiali Ayagitam III also announced his readiness to see divisional chiefs in the region elevated to the status of paramount chiefs.
“The Upper Regional House of Chiefs has a peculiar problem. That peculiar problem is the fact that before independence, our colonial masters merged certain traditional areas with other areas which [have nothing in common]. They have no culture linkage, they have no traditional linkage and they are working together. So if you look at it critically, those traditional areas which are divisions at the moment feel the pain that they have not been elevated. We need to critically examine their situation and recommend them for elevation.
“So, it’s something I will be drumming loud at the national level. We’ve been silent on elevations in the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs. So, one of things I will be tackling is to elevate divisional chiefs. We don’t need divisional chiefs in the Upper East Regional House of chiefs. We need paramount chiefs and the only way by which we can do it is to elevate them,” he said.
Pe Dituudini Adiali Ayagitam III also promised to tackle chieftaincy-related conflict and illegal felling of rosewood in the region.
The elections also saw the Paramount of the Kusaug Kingdom, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Paramount Chief of Nangodi, Naba Kosom Yelzoya Asaga II, the Paramount Chief of Navrongo, Pe Dennis Asagpaare Aneakwoa Belinia Adda II, the Paramount Chief of Naaga, Naba Orlando Ayamga Awini III, and Pe Dituudini Adiali Ayagitam III, chosen as representatives of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs at the National House of Chiefs.
Gaspard Ayuureneeya.