The government has approved an increment in the quarterly adjudication allowance for traditional authorities, a move expected to speed up the settlement of chieftaincy disputes nationwide.
From April 1, 2026, the allocation will move from GH¢30,000 to GH¢50,000, marking a 66.7 per cent rise intended to strengthen the capacity of Houses of Chiefs to sit more regularly and clear long-standing cases.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, during a familiarisation visit to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in Ho.
According to the minister, the increment forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s “Reset Agenda,” which seeks to stabilise communities by empowering traditional rulers to serve as credible mediators in local conflicts.
Speaking to the chiefs, Mr Ibrahim said the responsibility of traditional leaders has expanded beyond preserving culture to include judicial and development-related duties. He admitted that poor resourcing over the years had limited the ability of Regional Houses of Chiefs to sit frequently, creating a backlog of disputes that sometimes spill over into security threats.
“The government remains fully committed to strengthening the capacity of the Regional Houses of Chiefs,” he assured.
He added that the new adjudication package is part of a wider support programme for traditional authorities. As part of it, monthly allowances for Paramount Chiefs have been increased by 300 per cent to GH¢3,000, while Queen Mothers will now receive GH¢2,400, to help them effectively maintain peace and stability in their jurisdictions.
Beyond chieftaincy administration, the minister also briefed the House on government’s 24-Hour Model Market initiative under the NDC’s 24-hour economy policy.
The project, he explained, will establish modern commercial centres operating in three eight-hour shifts to boost local trade and expand employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.
Mr Ibrahim urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to work closely with traditional leaders to implement the programme and appealed to chiefs to support it by releasing suitable land for the construction of the markets.
In his remarks, Togbe Agama Amata VI, Paramount Chief of the Fievie Traditional Area, welcomed the allowance increase, describing it as a timely intervention that would revive the work of judicial committees within the Houses of Chiefs.
He also praised the government for ongoing development projects in the Volta Region, citing the Eastern Corridor Road as a practical example of the administration’s infrastructure drive.
“The ongoing works along the Eastern Corridor Road are a major example of the party’s ‘Big Push’ infrastructure agenda,” Togbe Amata VI said, adding that the improved road network is already boosting economic activity in the Fievie Traditional Area and across the wider Volta Region.
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