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Watch out politicians! Spiritual heads are still at work

In spite of our western democratic system of political governance, chiefs continue to exercise some form of traditional oversight responsibility on the functions of the various arms of government –the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary.

 

In Ghana, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are appointed by the president to man the various assemblies to carry out developmental programmes of the central government to the level of the people at the grass root.

The recent stance by Nananom in the Ashanti region that the KMA Boss should be removed for reportedly disrespecting the traditional rulers and heads of the Ashanti Kingdom, as well as the custodians of the cultural heritage still sends a strong signal to politicians to be wary of their attitude when voted into power.

Be that as it may, ones appointment to high political position should not deter them from respecting and revering traditional authorities.

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Some politicians, as soon as they are elevated, exhibit opulence, arrogance, corruption, display of power, and disrespect.

What is more, the position taken by the Nananom in the Ashanti Region reinforces what happened in the 19th and 20th centuries, where the British adopted ‘Indirect Rule’ through kings, chiefs and traditional heads in most of the colonies they controlled.

The colonial masters found that the legitimacy of the traditional authority for the governance of the colonies was still intact, and hence they decided to rule the colony through the chiefs.

However, many organisations including the Center for Democratic Congress, CDD and the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) have over the years asked that people elect their own district chief executives (DCEs) who would be answerable to them instead of the central government.

This follows the practice which is being adopted in other countries. In Britain, the Mayor of the City of London is elected by the City, rather than appointed by the Sovereign.

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Over the years, many political regimes, past and present, military and civilian, have in many ways tried to derail the significance of our kings and chiefs in the body politics of our country, but to no avail.

Ghana’s fourth republican constitution has sought to outline vividly the role of traditional rulers in the country. It warned chiefs not to engage in partisan politics. But what we are seeing now seems to be on the contrary.

As the various political parties hit several areas to canvass for votes, the chiefs of those areas simply ignore the constitutional provision which bars them from partaking in active politics.

Some even go as far as endorsing presidential candidates of various political parties ahead of the November polls.

The New Patriotic Party’s Nana Addo was also recently endorsed by Tuobodomhene Nana Obeng Ameyaw Barimah II, when he paid a courtesy call on the chief during his tour in the region.

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During President John Dramani Mahama’s 'Accounting to the People' tour in the Upper East region, the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Azoka Abugrago II, is reported to have appealed to residents in the area to vote for John Mahama, after the president cut sod for the reconstruction of the Bolgatanga-Bawku Road and an irrigation dam.

In spite of calls by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr. Seidu Daanaa for traditional rulers to refrain from endorsing presidential candidates ahead of elections, their calls seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

In several regions, emissaries of chiefs go round several clans, entreating them to vote for their choice of flag bearer. These efforts by and large affect the voting patterns of electorates in the area.

There is no denying the fact that Ghanaians hold their chiefs in high esteem; thus, they should never be taken for granted.

A traditional ruler, who can help you come into power is the same leader who can bring you down on your knees.

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Simply saying, any politician who deliberately incurs their wrath through acts of disobedience does so at their own risk.

The recent stance against the Kumasi Mayor by Nananom at the Kumasi Traditional Council points to the fact that traditional rulers are still at the helm of affairs.

They still have the authority to ensure that any political appointee and Ghanaians in general abide by the cultural, ethical and moral standards of the country’s traditional values.

However, there needs to be a balance between our traditions and democracy, where Mayors will be elected, but will still accord traditional rulers the needed respect.

Grassroots democracy is still at work!

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