Chiefs want to be consulted on local political appointees

Koforidua, Mar 10, 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.