The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has held discussions with representatives of the National Queen Mothers’ Platform-Ghana to address key issues affecting traditional leadership, local governance and community development in Ghana.
The engagement took place following a visit by the Queen Mothers’ representatives to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, where they discussed ways to strengthen the role of women in traditional institutions and promote inclusive decision-making.
During the meeting, Hon. Ayariga acknowledged the significant contributions of Queen Mothers to traditional governance, community development and the preservation of Ghana’s cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of recognising their leadership roles and ensuring that their voices receive greater attention in decisions affecting their respective communities.
The discussions also focused on concerns about the exclusion of Queen Mothers from major traditional and community-level decisions. Other issues included challenges affecting the performance of their traditional responsibilities and the need to resolve longstanding chieftaincy disputes that continue to threaten peace, stability and unity in some communities.
Another key issue raised was the proposed establishment of a Chamber of Queen Mothers, an initiative expected to strengthen the representation of Queen Mothers and enhance their participation in traditional governance structures across the country.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga emphasised that building strong and effective traditional institutions requires inclusive dialogue, mutual respect and close collaboration between government, traditional authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting engagements that promote peaceful coexistence, effective chieftaincy administration and inclusive local governance. These efforts, he noted, are essential to advancing community development, strengthening traditional leadership and supporting Ghana’s overall development agenda.
The engagement underscores the growing importance of women’s participation in traditional leadership and the need to empower Queen Mothers to contribute meaningfully to decisions that shape the future of their communities.
Source: newsthemegh.com