The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, XIV Togbe Afede has rejected his appointment into the governing National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Economic Committee.
He explained that he had to reject the offer because the Constitution and the Code of Ethics of the National House of Chiefs do not allow chiefs to be deeply involved in partisan politics.
[contextly_sidebar id=”gW6ArXMclrshHhcHnZIdjo1LloYciheb”]The renowned businessman and traditional leader was named as a member of the Economic Committee of the party which is chaired by Vice President Kwesi Amisah Arthur at a ceremony on Tuesday.
The team is expected to strategize and oversee the financial activities of the governing party as the 2016 elections approaches.
However in an interview with Citi News, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State insisted he was surprised by the announcement because he refused the offer at the consultation stage.
“As you know the constitution bans chiefs from partcipating in politics and indeed the National House of Chiefs has adopted a code of conduct which excludes chiefs from participating in active politics. Someone tried to find out from me about my availability and I did point out this fact that chiefs are excluded from participating in partisan politics,”Togbe Afede explained.
NDC defends appointment
The party on Tuesday defended Afede’s appointment saying he had not breached the 1992 Constitution which bars chiefs from taking up partisan positions.
“I don’t think that there is any erring in tapping into the knowledge of persons because we don’t see it as taking a partisan position,” the National Organizer of the NDC, Kofi Adams said on Eyewitness News.
Some believe the governing party has breached Article 27.6 Clause 1 and Clause 2 of the nation’s constitution. Article 27.6 Clause 1 stated that “a chief shall not take part in active partisan politics and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.”
The Clause 2 of the same Article also stipulates that “Notwithstanding clause 1 of this Article, and paragraph C of Clause 3 of Article 94 of this constitution, a chief may be appointed to a public office for which he is otherwise qualified.”
But in defence, Kofi Adams said a political party cannot be described as a private institution therefore, Togbe Afede XIV’s appointment is valid.
Click on audio to listen to Togbe Afede
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By; Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah