Ghana needs to emulate the democratic values of Asantes for development - Bagbin

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged Ghanaians to learn from the democratic system of the Asante monarchy if the country wants to develop.

According to him, the Asante monarchy, particularly the revered Golden Stool, has been characterized by patriotism, honesty, accountability, and respect for law and order.

Bagbin made these remarks when he called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

The visit was to seek permission from the Asantehene as parliament prepares to hold a public forum on democracy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

He praised the Asante monarchy for its rich democratic heritage, saying, "The Asante monarchy has been a shining example of democratic values, and it's time for Ghana to learn from it."

The Speaker emphasized that Ghana can benefit from the Asante monarchy's emphasis on patriotism, honesty, accountability, and respect for law and order.

He noted that these values are essential for Ghana's development and growth.

Bagbin's call comes at a time when Ghana is seeking to deepen its democratic credentials.

The Asante monarchy's democratic system has been praised for its ability to promote peace, stability, and development in the Ashanti Region.

Influence of Money in Politics

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, during the visit, sounded a warning about the increasing influence of money in Ghanaian politics.

He questioned the rationale behind politicians paying huge sums of money to delegates to secure parliamentary seats.

He expressed concerns that the current system allows only those with deep pockets to serve as legislators, rather than individuals with good policies and patriotism.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II called for a reform of the system, advocating for a more democratic process where party members could vote willingly for their representatives.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, however, welcomed the Speaker's call to learn from the Asantes, saying, "We are ready to share our democratic values with the rest of Ghana. We believe that our system can contribute to the country's development."