ADDRESS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY
OF THE MEETING OF PARAMOUNT CHIEFS
IN BO - APRIL 2005

SALUTATIONS

I am delighted and honoured to welcome Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene of Kumasi and his entourage from our Sister Republic of Ghana.

We are grateful to you for graciously honouring my invitation to visit Sierra Leone and for accepting our request to serve as guest of honour and the principal resource person for this supremely important event. This event is a major part of our efforts in charting the way forward to further improve our Native Administration System. Though this system has been in existence for a very long time, there has been very little effort to date to align it with the profound changes that have taken place in our society. Such an omission, no doubt, must have had the effect of our losing the opportunity for the kind of positive impact this unique institution would have had on our people. This event therefore marks the beginning of the first ever major effort to reform and strengthen the Native Administration system so that it can meet the aspirations of our nation.

Our decision to ask you kindly to participate at this event is founded on at least three main reasons. First we are inspired by the pioneering role that your country, Ghana and the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah played in the struggle for self-determination in Africa. In this regard we recall Dr Nkrumah's own words in 1957: "The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African Continent." To a large extent your country, Ghana paved the way for the independence of many colonial countries in Africa, including Sierra Leone.

Secondly, your presence here today reminds us of the role that African traditional institutions can play in the areas of governance and political development of the modern African state. You are not merely a symbol but a bridge between traditionalism - something which we all cherish - and modernity, which by necessity we must also embrace.

There is a third reason why I believe your decision to honour our invitation to this event is important for us. It provides us an opportunity to acknowledge the manner in which you have translated your personal attributes and professional experience into action for the benefit of Ghana. I refer to your efforts in the promotion of health, education and other social services. You have succeeded in harmonizing your traditional leadership responsibilities as the Asantehene, and your activities in the areas of health, education and economic development. I hope that your contribution to this meeting will enhance the effectiveness of its participants in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Without any attempt on my part to restrict you on what your address will cover, we suggest that you include in your statement certain issues which call for attention:

(i) revenue collection by chiefdoms;
(ii) certain traditional practices which we believe may lead to conflicts in chiefdoms;

(iii) the overall management of chiefdoms, including Conditions of Service for Paramount Chiefs and other employees.

It is my fervent belief that the deliberations of this meeting will lead to the development of appropriate policies and strategies that will enhance the smooth implementation of the reform and strengthening of chieftaincy institutions in Sierra Leone.

In closing, let me congratulate the Minister of Local Government and his officials, Paramount Chiefs, Chiefdom Elders and all those who contributed to the staging of this meeting. I extend to you all best wishes for success in your deliberations.

I thank you.