Chiefs should be made to account for stool and land revenue

Nsuta (Ash), June 9, GNA - The people in the Sekyere District have suggested the introduction of a clause in the constitution that would make it mandatory for chiefs to account for royalties on stool lands paid to them.

They said the situation where traditional rulers keep all monies from stool lands, denying the communities of their share for development must stop. They found it difficult to understand why revenue from lands held in trust for them should benefit only individuals. This was at a consultative forum on the review of the 1992 constitution held at Nsuta.

Contributors to the discussions also asked that the present system where 30 per cent of the members of metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are appointed by the government should be scrapped. All assembly members and District Chief Executives (DCEs) must be elected through the ballot box.

On the tenure of a President, they said the current four-year term should be maintained to avoid complacency by any President. They also called for the removal of the indemnity clause in the constitution and said it runs counter to the principles of the rule of law and social justice.

Mr Ernest Owusu-Dapaah, a constitutional lawyer and legal advisor to the Commission, appealed to all Ghanaians both home and abroad to participate fully in the on-going review process. He said whatever recommendations are arrived at should represent the collective will of the people to enhance the unity and cohesion of the nation. The forum was attended by chiefs, heads of departments, representatives of political parties, religious bodies, assembly members and representatives of trade associations.