The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs is facing serious financial difficulties, with the funding crisis reportedly disrupting the work of its Judicial Committee and forcing some chieftaincy cases to be adjourned sine die.
The development has raised concerns among litigants and stakeholders, particularly parties who have spent considerable time and financial resources pursuing the resolution of long-standing traditional disputes.
Information available to The Chronicle indicates that the House is struggling to mobilize the funds required to convene sittings of the Judicial Committee and meet the administrative and logistical costs associated with the hearing and determination of chieftaincy cases.
The financial constraints have reportedly compelled the House to appeal to parties whose cases are pending before the Judicial Committee to provide financial assistance to facilitate the continuation of proceedings.
However, the request has generated concerns over whether litigants should be required to contribute towards the operational costs of an institution performing a public and constitutional function in the administration of traditional justice.
CASES PUT ON HOLD
As a result of the funding difficulties, some cases before the Judicial Committee have reportedly been adjourned sine die, meaning that no specific date has been fixed for their resumption.
The development could further delay the resolution of chieftaincy disputes that have, in some instances, remained before the traditional judicial system for several years.
For the affected litigants, the indefinite adjournment creates uncertainty over when their cases will be heard again, while prolonging disputes that may have significant implications for traditional leadership, families, and entire communities.
Sources familiar with the situation said the financial requirements cover the costs of convening Judicial Committee sittings, administrative work, and other logistical arrangements necessary for the effective hearing of cases.
CONCERNS OVER ACCESS TO JUSTICE
The funding crisis has heightened concerns that financial difficulties could become an additional barrier to access to justice for parties seeking the determination of chieftaincy disputes.
There are also concerns that asking litigants to financially support the operations of the very institution adjudicating their cases could impose an additional burden on parties already bearing legal and other expenses.
The Regional House of Chiefs plays an important role in the traditional justice system, particularly in the settlement of chieftaincy disputes and the preservation of traditional governance structures.
Any prolonged disruption to the work of its Judicial Committee could therefore have wider ramifications for traditional authorities and communities across the Eastern Region.
FUNDING CRISIS
The current situation is not the first time concerns have been raised about inadequate funding for the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
In January 2026, the President of the House, Nene Sakite II, reportedly raised concerns about inadequate financial resources for the activities of the institution, including the completion of its office project.
At the time, he indicated that the House would seek assistance from the government, state institutions, and other sponsors while exploring additional fundraising opportunities to address its financial challenges.
Similar concerns have also been raised at the national level.
In May 2026, the National House of Chiefs reportedly complained that inadequate funding was hampering its ability to effectively discharge its mandate, including the arbitration and settlement of chieftaincy disputes.
CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
The latest development has renewed calls for the government and other stakeholders to provide sustainable financial support to the Regional House of Chiefs.
Stakeholders argue that institutions entrusted with adjudicating chieftaincy disputes must have predictable and adequate funding to ensure that financial constraints do not undermine the administration of traditional justice.
They contend that relying on financial contributions from litigants is not a sustainable solution, particularly where parties may already be facing substantial legal and related expenses.
For litigants whose cases have been adjourned sine die, the immediate concern is the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of proceedings.
Unless the House secures the resources required to reconvene its Judicial Committee, some parties could remain in limbo for an indefinite period.
NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE FUNDING
The situation has, therefore, brought into sharp focus the need for a sustainable funding mechanism for regional houses of chiefs.
Adequate and predictable state funding, stakeholders maintain, would strengthen the capacity of the House to perform its constitutional functions and help ensure that financial difficulties do not result in prolonged delays in the determination of chieftaincy disputes.
For now, however, litigants whose cases have been placed sine die are left waiting, with no definite indication of when their long-running disputes will return before the Judicial Committee.
The unfolding situation raises a broader question about the financing of traditional justice institutions and whether litigants should bear the cost of keeping the machinery of adjudication running.
All efforts to reach the registrar of the House Madam Ama Konadu Kusi to respond to the issues have proved unsuccessful.
When contacted on her cell phone on the matter she asked this reporter to bring a questionnaire which was accordingly done but has since declined to respond to questions from The Chronicle over the issues.
The newspaper formally wrote to the Registrar of the House seeking clarification on the reported funding challenges, the status of cases before the Judicial Committee, and claims that litigants had been asked to provide financial assistance to facilitate the sitting of the Committee.
However, despite being given the opportunity to respond to the issues raised, the Registrar, Madam Ama Konadu Kusi, has not provided a response to the newspaper’s inquiries.
The absence of an official response means that the House’s position on the allegations remains unclear.
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