The constitution’s clause 276, states that chiefs shall not take part in active politics, and that any chief wishing to engage in politics could only do so after abdicating his stool or skin.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5huV4PYIq4xeCijh5fVHHUJqRBuZ7dkR”]But the 2016 election campaign saw numerous chiefs endorse some political parties and their flagbearers.

Describing the situation as unfortunate, Mr. Dzamesi said he would start a royal college to explain some of these constitutional directives to the chiefs.

“What we need to do is actually educate some of the chiefs so it is my intention that if I become the minister, I will start a royal college that will give the opportunity to the chiefs to understand some of the laws of this country and adhere to them.”

Mr. Dzamesi also referenced the National House of Chiefs’ Code of Royal Ethics for Chiefs; written by the immediate past National House of Chiefs President, by Professor John S. Nabila, the Wurugu Naba Pusansoa.

He said he would ensure every chief is acquainted with the code of ethics so they can observe them.

“If I become the minister, I will make sure that every chief in this country gets hold of this code of ethics. It is so well written that if you are chief and you read this book and you adhere to all the points, you will be one of the best chiefs. So these are some of the things I will do.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmoline.com/Ghana

The post Chiefs will be enlightened to avoid partisanship – Kofi Dzamesi appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The run up to the 2016 elections has seen a number of chiefs pledge support for the presidential candidates of either the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party and Prof. Akosa has said this is wrong given the prime position of chiefs within the community.

[contextly_sidebar id=”VoHoWufyVmGzXk8q4NCOXqOhSTPpgTxd”]These endorsements have also come despite the National House of Chiefs warning chiefs across the country to desist from openly endorsing presidential candidates ahead of the elections.

Speaking in the Citi Breakfast Show, explained that it was for good reason that the framers of the constitution insisted that chiefs are not to play a role in active politics.

“As a chief and as a developmental agent, you have got to lobby every sitting government for possible projects within you community. Now if you have gone and declared, do expect that government will listen to you and therefore you community? You would have done great disservice for you community.”

“Your community should not know where you stand on the partisan divide,” Prof. Akosa stated as he noted that, “assuming that a third of your community does not agree with you or is on the other side of where you have endorsed, the relationship with them going forward becomes very shaky.”

“You can have a choice but that choice should be restricted to yourself. You don’t have to come out and clearly endorse a political party,” Prof. Akosa said.

He however cautioned that, “if there is even one person who opposes that party, that person can create problems for you and that is what will shake the peace and cohesion of you community and therefore the country.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chiefs hurting lobbying power with partisanship – Prof. Akosa appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.