BY LESLIE FOINAGWA –ISLES MEDIA FREE LAUNCHER IN WEST KWAIO
The West Kwaio Constituency is making steady progress on the construction of news buildings for the Houses of Chiefs, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening traditional governance, community cohesion, and effective service delivery.
As part of the 2024 constituency projects, each ward—Ward 26, Ward 27, and Ward 28—is set to receive a dedicated House of Chiefs. These structures will serve as central hubs for upholding Kwaio customs and ethics, promoting good governance, and addressing critical issues such as tribal disputes, land settlements, and community development matters.
Current progress on the Houses of Chiefs buildings is as follows:
- Ward 26 (Logoalata House of Chiefs): 50% completed
- Ward 27 (Kweisie House of Chiefs): 20% completed
- Ward 28 (Ngarilasifono House of Chiefs): 40% completed
The project is co-funded through the RSDP PRC funded Programme (2023) and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) SIG funded grant (2024), with an estimated overall cost of over millions of dollars covering building materials, logistics, and labor. Despite challenges in accessibility and terrain, concerted efforts remain focused on completing and launching all three houses by the end of 2025.
The role of chiefs in Kwaio society is central to preserving cultural values, resolving disputes, and guiding community development. Well-structured and permanent infrastructures, such as these Houses of Chiefs, provide a conducive environment for chiefs to perform their duties with efficiency and effectiveness. By having dedicated facilities, chiefs can convene community meetings, mediate land and tribal issues, and oversee local governance in a professional and organized setting.
The Constituency Office expresses sincere gratitude to the residents of West Kwaio for their patience and cooperation throughout the administrative and construction processes. Close collaboration between the Constituency Office, Constituency Development Committee (CDC), and field officers will continue to be essential in successfully delivering these vital community services.
