All the chiefs who have boldly endorsed Mahama and Nana Addo

Article 276 (1) states: “A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin”.

Even though it does not touch explicitly on endorsement of candidates, many argue that the inference is apparent, as any chief who endorses a candidate in public, is being partisan in his outlook.

As the two major political parties in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), hit several areas to canvass for votes, the chiefs of those areas appear to have simply ignored the constitutional provision which bars them from partaking in active politics.

Some even go as far as endorsing presidential candidates of various political parties.

President John Mahama, who is seeking re-election for a second term in office, has so far been endorsed by various Chiefs in the Eastern, Northern and Brong Ahafo regions.

Here are some of the endorsements for John Mahama:

Sunyani Chief endorses Mahama

Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, the Chief of Sunyani, in October 2015, assured President John Mahama of at least 80 per cent of the total votes in the Brong Ahafo Region come December 2016.

He said this was due to the level of development brought to the area by the NDC government.

“I was surprised that the people of the Eastern Region promised President Mahama 50 percent of the votes but I am promising that we will give the president 80 percent of the total votes in the region,” Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri said.

Kukurantumi Chief guarantees Mahama 50% votes

The chief of Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region in October 2015, is said to have assured President Mahama of 50 per cent of the total votes in the region.

Northern Regional House of Chiefs President declare support for Mahama

The President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, Nayire Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai, on November 21, 2015, called for full support for President John Mahama.

He said: “We passionately pray that almighty God and our ancestral skins will support and back you to achieve your desired aim of continuing to be the president of the Republic of Ghana come 2016.”

Nayire Naa Abdulai made the declaration when President Mahama visited the area as part of his #ChangingLives tour ahead of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC).

Upper East region chief endorses Mahama

During President John Dramani Mahama’s 'Accounting to the People' tour in the Upper East region in July this year, 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.

This was after the president cut sod for the reconstruction of the Bolgatanga-Bawku Road and an irrigation dam.

Omanhene of Yeji endorses Mahama

President John Mahama also in October this year was endorsed by the Omanhene of Yeji, Nana Pemapin Yaw Kagbrese. This was when President John Mahama visited the area as part of his Brong Ahafo regional tour.

The chief, who doubles as the President of the Brong Ahafo regional house of chiefs said the president has engaged in massive developmental projects and should therefore, be voted for.

Bassa chief endorses Mahama

The chief of Bassa, Nana Owusu Sekyi III, in the Brong Ahafo Region, also endorsed the candidature of President John Mahama when he toured the area ahead of the 2016 elections.

Speaking at a rally during a campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo Region by the President, the chief said: “We will not be able to list all the NDC government has done for this community. Although they haven’t constructing all the roads, we can clearly see that they are in the process of doing so. He used just three years to do all this because the first year was marred with the court saga so we congratulate him.”

The Bassa chief also said the President had “done a lot in the education sector by providing a lot of infrastructure for us.”

Odumase Chief endorses Mahama

A third Brong Ahafo traditional ruler, who is the Chief of Odumase No. 1, Nana Kwasi Yeboah, in the same month of October called on all and sundry to vote massively for President John Mahama to enable him continue his developmental projects for the country.

“We do not need to make noise about it, all the projects we are seeing bears testimony to his [Mahama’s] good works. We are solidly behind you Mr President,” he told a gathering of people when the President Mahama paid a courtesy call on him last month.

Volta Chief endorses Mahama

Nana Saafo Attara II, the Adontenhene of the Dodo Traditional area in the Volta region also endorsed President John Mahama during his ‘Accounting to the People’ of the region in August this year.

He said his endorsement is a reflection of what others in the region feel about the Mahama-led administration.

“People in Accra and the bigger cities who claim, we the people in this part of the Volta region can sit there and do their politics. We here can feel the impact and we appreciate what President John Mahama has done for us,” he said.

Akroso chief endorses Mahama

The Akrosohene in the Akyem Kotoku area of the Eastern region, Nana Kwabena Ofori II in September this year is also reported to have endorsed President John Mahama’s bid for a second term.

According to him, President Mahama has brought to the area a number of laudable development projects and therefore needs to be given a second term.

Ajumako chief endorses Mahama

The Omanhene of Ajumako Bisease in the Western Region is also said to have endorsed when the people of Ajumako celebrated their annual festival in August this year.

Addressing the chiefs and people, the chief said President John Mahama will win the upcoming December polls because of his performance in office.

“I was abroad but decided to return for the festival because of the President. It is unfortunate that he could not make it for this event; I would have danced with him on the floor today for all to see how we appreciate him.

“As for me and my people, we know what we are going to do. He should not worry; the 2016 elections won’t be a problem for him. God has already done it for him. So he should go to rest and forget about it; it is done,” he said.

E/R Zongo chiefs endorse Mahama

Muslim and Zongo chiefs in the Eastern Region in October 2016 endorsed the re-election bid of President John Dramani Mahama.

The chiefs made the affirmation when a delegation of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Zongo Caucus led by Alhaji Shamsu Kwakwa, called on chiefs at Koforidua, Suhum and Nsawam, all in the Eastern Region.

And below are some of the chiefs that have endorsed Nana Addo so far:

Tuobodom Chief declares support for Akufo-Addo

The Chief of Tuobodom in the Brong Ahafo Region, Nana Obeng Ameyaw Barimah II, in July this year, declared his support for flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo.

According to the Tuobodomhene, “in this world, it is only those who embark on good missions who are encouraged and supported.”

Nana Obeng Ameyaw Barimah II who also doubles as the Akyempemhene of the Techiman Traditional Council made the endorsement when Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on him at his Palace as part of the flagbearer’s campaign tour of the region.

Tumu Paramount Chief endorses Akufo-Addo

The Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Area, Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI, in September this year endorsed the ‘1-District-1-Factory’ and the ‘1-Village-1-Dam’ policies of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“We have been following governments, since time immemorial, and, still, we have not gotten a dam. So I believe that if you give us a dam, it will really help us so much. And we are looking forward to you coming to office, so you give us a dam,” he said.

Garu Chief declares support for Nana Addo

The Chief of Garu, Naba Asuguru Akuntam Wini, in September this year also declared his support for the NPP flagbearer in this year’s elections.

He believes Nana Akufo-Addo is the only one who will bring progress and prosperity to his people.

“Our problem, in the past, was a district. President Kufuor, before the 2000 elections, came here and told us that if he won the election, it will be done. True to his word, the creation of the district was done. When NPP promises you something, it will be done. Thanks to his Excellency, President Kufuor, for giving us the district,” he said.

Chief of Bawku declares victory for Akufo-Addo

The Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigiri Azoka Abugrago II, also in August this year, endorsed the NPP flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo when he visited his palace as part of his campaign tour of the Upper East region.

He said: “this is the proper endorsement I want to make. God willing this year, you will get what you want and become the President of Ghana.”

Over 50 Ashanti chiefs endorse Nana Addo

Some 58 chiefs of the Asanteman Traditional Council endorsed the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, as he began his four-day tour of the region on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

The Mpaboahene of Asante monarch Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nana Yaw Owusu, made the announcement on behalf of his other colleagues. According to him, they have been denied developments under President John Mahama's administration because they have consistently remained loyal to the NPP and that nothing would stop them from doing same.

Peki chief endorses Nana Addo

The Gyasehene of the Peki Traditional area in the Volta Region, Togbui Takon Tutu Brempong in October this year endorsed the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo Addo’s bid to become Ghana’s president.

The chief endorsed Nana Addo during his campaign tour of the Volta Region.

From the above, it appears that 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.