Justice Donglabong Dinaa

 The Jirapa Traditional Council in the Upper West Region on Saturday enskinned and out-doored Mr Justice Donglabong Dinaa as its new Paramount Chief.

The ceremony which at­tracted indigenes, well-wish­ers and dignitaries witnessed beautiful display of culture through performances by the various cultural troupes amidst firing of musketry.

The 41-year-old educa­tionist who is currently an Assistant Director at the Jira­pa Municipal Education office comes as the fifth Paramount Chief of the area and the im­mediate replacement for the late chief, Naa Gbongbori Ansoleh Ganaa I.

Under the skin name, Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III, the chief who trumpeted his passion about education said he was going to work hard to improve the fortunes of learners especially at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the municipality.

The Chief lamented in an interview with the media that over the years, perfor­mance of pupils at the BECE had been an issue of concern and said that he would work with respective stakeholders to see how best they could enhance quality teaching and learning in the municipality.

As an educationist, he was very particular about quality teaching which would translate into improved aca­demic performance.

The chief said he would work closely with stakehold­ers such as head teachers and supervisors to under­stand that there was a paradigm shift in teaching and learning and would also motivate them in order to ignite passion for action.

He said the St Joseph hospital in the municipality used to be a referral facility in the region but had lost its relevance in recent times and said he would work with staff of the facility to ensure the hospital returns to its former glory.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Jirapa Constitu­ency, Mr Cletus Seidu Dapilah said he had been interacting with the chief on how to de­velop the education, health and other sectors to develop the municipality.

“I will use this occasion to appeal to the chiefs that are here to resolve chieftain­cy issues in their respective traditional councils to ensure that peace prevails in the municipality because we need peace for development and we can only get peace if we learn to forgive one another,” he said.

He advised the chief to remain neutral and not involve himself in partisan politics which could mar his reign.

The Chief of Ullo Tuopari, Naa Basignaa III encouraged the new chief to live beyond reproach and maintain a high standard of integrity so that he is able to administer the affairs of the traditional area in fairness.

“I will advise you to give everyone the same measure of attention so that you are able to gain their trust and stay away from arguments; particularly in public and from people who tend to flatter others for own paro­chial interest”, he added.

 From Lydia Darlington Ford­jour, Jirapa