The Omankyeame of Pedu, a sub-community in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Nana Ekow Essoun, has disclosed that a prolonged chieftaincy dispute in the area has severely hindered development and denied the community government support.
He made this known at the durbar grounds during Coastal Television’s outreach programme dubbed “Coastal Television Community Connect,” held at the roadside of Pedu.
According to Nana Ekow Essoun, Pedu was instrumental in the early development of Cape Coast, as the elders of the community willingly released large portions of land to the government for the establishment of key regional institutions and headquarters. He indicated that more than six major state institutions were established on Pedu land, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Highway Authority, State Housing Corporation, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (Interbeton), and the Ghana Water Company, among others.
Despite these significant contributions, the Omankyeame lamented that Pedu has not benefited from any meaningful government development in recent times. He attributed the situation to an unresolved chieftaincy dispute within the Nsona Royal Family, where two rival factions continue to perform parallel traditional functions.
Nana Ekow Essoun explained that the existence of two competing traditional authorities has weakened leadership in the community and created uncertainty, making it difficult for the government and other stakeholders to engage the community on development issues.
He therefore called on the appropriate traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and the government to intervene and help resolve the dispute to restore peace, unity, and progress in Pedu.
According to him, until the chieftaincy issue is resolved, the community will continue to suffer developmental setbacks despite its historic sacrifices toward the growth of the Cape Coast Metropolis.
By Frank Asorba Kofi Essuman
Coastal Television: Your Own Face, Your Own Voice
