A leading member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa has called on paramount chiefs across the country to caution their sub-chiefs against openly endorsing political parties and their candidates ahead of this year’s elections.
According to him, the involvement of some chiefs in partisan politics is putting the chieftaincy institution into disrepute.
With some 46 days to Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections, some Chiefs have declared their support for some presidential candidates and called on their subjects vote for them.
But Professor Akosa said the practice must not be encouraged.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday [October 26], he said although the practice of has persisted for many years, it is assuming an alarming trend that needs to be checked.
“It is an increasing phenomenon, it has always been there. But interestingly I have not heard any paramount chief do that. Most of the ones that are doing that are sub-chiefs and I think their paramount Chiefs should call them to order,” he said.
He added that, “if you are a chief, you represent your entire community and therefore you represent all shapes of opinion and therefore you cannot actively within the community [engage in politics]. Yours is to serve the community.”
‘Chiefs endorse Mahama, Nana Addo’
More than sixty (60) chiefs across the country have so far been recorded to have endorsed the candidature of the governing National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) John Mahama and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo.
Chiefs that have endorsed President Mahama include the Chief of Sunyani, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, Chief of Yeji, Nana Pemapin Yaw Kagbrese, the chief of Bassa, Nana Owusu Sekyi III and the Chief of Odumase No. 1, Nana Kwasi Yeboah.
Some of those who have endorse Akufo Addo include the Chief of Garu, Naba Asuguru Akuntam Wini, Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigiri Azoka Abugrago II and Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Area, Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI.
‘Report Chiefs who endorse candidates – Chieftaincy minister’
The Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Henry Seidu Danaa, is urging persons concerned about Chiefs endorsing presidential aspirants despite the act being unlawful, to report to them to their respective Regional House of Chiefs to have the issues addressed.
According to him, the constitution frowns on traditional rulers mounting political platforms or displaying party paraphernalia.
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