Accra: President John Dramani Mahama on Monday convened a meeting with the Members of the Steering Committee of the National House of Chiefs to update them on various national developments. The gathering provided an opportunity for the President to seek the insights of the National House of Chiefs.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama emphasized the significance of involving the Steering Committee due to numerous requests from traditional areas and houses of chiefs for courtesy and congratulatory visits. He considered it appropriate for the National House of Chiefs to be the first to engage with him before other regional and traditional leaders.
The meeting took place at the Accra International Conference Centre, as the President's office was undergoing renovation. President Mahama expressed his gratitude to the chiefs for their support during the Election 2024 campaign, acknowledging their guidance in ensuring a peaceful election atmosphere.
The President highlighted the importance of regular dialogues on issues pertinent to both the Chieftaincy Institution and national progress. Chieftaincy disputes were a key topic, with President Mahama noting the recurring challenges in selecting new chiefs, which often led to rival claims affecting national development.
He referenced the 1992 constitution, which left chieftaincy matters to traditional authorities, and emphasized the need for these authorities to collaborate with the government to maintain law and order. He mentioned a previous state decision for codifying lines of succession, urging the Committee to address the growing issue of disputes.
President Mahama also discussed plans for a Constitutional Review Validation conference to assess reports from the Fiadjoe Constitutional Review Committee and the Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu's Committee, aiming to identify relevant constitutional amendments.
Nana Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the Mamponghene, congratulated President Mahama on his presidency and expressed concerns about the Government's decision to realign the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ministry with the Local Government Ministry, which he learned about through media reports.
