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Chiefs want to
be consulted on local political appointees
Koforidua, Mar 10, Ghanadot/GNA- The Omanhene of the New
Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Professor Oti-Boateng, has
criticised the nomination of government appointees to the
district assemblies without the involvement of the
traditional council as stipulated by the constitution.
Daasebre Oti-Boateng, who raised the concerns at an
Akwesidae durbar, on Sunday, stressed that due process must
be followed to allow the recognition and input of those who
matter in the affairs of governance and democracy.
Describing the act as a blatant disregard to the
constitutional provision, which states that the traditional
authorities should be consulted to have a consensus on whom
to represent them at the district assemblies, the Omanhene
said it was not proper for party functionaries to do the
selection and later inform the council.
Daasebre Oti-Boateng observed that if that trend was not
checked, it had the tendency to destroy the basis of the
decentralization system adding that, in democracy, power
resides with the people.
He has, therefore, called for modalities, which would
clearly spell out the process of consultations with
traditional authorities, so that “there will be no evasion
or equivocation.
The Omanhene recalled that when the National House of Chiefs
met with President John Atta-Mills, they raised the issue
and the President assured them that this time round they
would be consulted.
He said party functionaries should consequently follow the
directive of the President on the matter.
Earlier, the Eastern Regional Minster, Mr Samuel
Ofosu-Ampofo, and the Member of Parliament for New Juaben
South, Ms Bernice Beatrice Boateng, paid courtesy calls on
the Omanhene and pledged to cooperate in the development of
the region, despite their political affiliations.
GNA
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