The delegation on Wednesday visited the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Tourism Arts and Culture as well as the National House of Chiefs in Accra to familiarise with chieftaincy issues in the country.

Mr Sichalwe said his country’s traditional affairs  was not  as strong as that of  Ghana, and said there were many chieftaincy disputes in the country and its management was a challenge to the government.

“It’s not by mere coincidence that we fall on Ghana to study its traditions and how it manages it, but rather, we believe Ghana has become a benchmark for upholding culture,” he said.

He said in Zambia some chiefs participate in politics, while local authorities interface with government for national development, therefore, it was imperative for his country to understudy a country that was well-versed in traditional affairs, and had managed it well.

Addressing the delegation, the Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Paul Ato Essien, said the long standing relationship between both countries, needed to be strengthened in order for both countries to continue to share ideas in every aspect of the society.

According to the deputy minister, Singapore was in Ghana to also study the   Ghanaian culture, saying “we are also going to Singapore to study their culture,” and added that, Ghana might also visit Zambia to study their culture and administration of their traditional settings.

At the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, president of the House, said, “Traditional rulership begins from the village to the traditional area, regional and the national.”

He said the National House of Chiefs comprised 50 members with five representatives from each of the 10 regions in the country, adding that “the president has tenure of four years, which can be renewed for another four years.”

He said chiefs retained some executive, legislative and judicial authority with government supporting with the provision of lawyers to advice them, stressing that “for chieftaincy to be relevant, our work as chiefs must meet the aspirations of the people.”

The delegation is expected to visit the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Cape Coast Castle, Ga Traditional Council, Osu Traditional Council and Greater Accra House of Chiefs, among others.

BY JEMIMA ESINAM KUATSINU