Story by: Vincent Kweku Afriyie, C/R
The Vice President and flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 General Elections, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, has pledged his commitment to end all chieftaincy disputes in the country if elected president. He explained that he intends to achieve this by codifying the lines of succession for every stool and skin in the country.
The Vice President was speaking to stakeholders in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency on Sunday, September 22, 2024, as part of his tour in the Central Region to canvass votes ahead of the polls on December 7.
“I am coming to codify the lines of succession for every skin and every stool in Ghana. We will collaborate with the judiciary committee of the House of Chiefs to ensure that successors of all stools and skins will be documented to bring an end to all disputes,” Dr. Bawumia was quoted as saying in Twi.
Additionally, Dr. Bawumia pledged to amend Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act to give more powers to chiefs to take an active part in the country's administration. He noted that the chieftaincy institution existed long before our current governance system was formed, yet chiefs have been relegated to the background in national administration. Dr. Bawumia pledged to empower them to adjudicate some cases at their palaces.
Moreover, the Vice President proposed introducing living allowances for traditional leaders to support their roles as custodians of culture and enhance collaboration between traditional authorities and government institutions. He expressed his commitment to empowering chiefs financially, enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities without economic constraints.
He also pledged to initiate and implement policies that will enhance living conditions for the people, with agriculture as a key focus area in his government. Plans include reducing electricity costs by relying on solar energy to generate 2,000 megawatts, establishing a credit system, and creating opportunities for people with disabilities among other initiatives he seeks to offer Ghanaians if favored with electoral victory.
In his welcome address, the Paramount Chief of Breman Essiam Traditional Area, Odeefuo Afankwa III, praised Dr. Bawumia as a significant political figure in the country. He expressed that Free Senior High School and Dr. Bawumia's contributions are two legacies he (Odeefuo) will remember President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for. He called on voters in the constituency to join the victory train by voting for Dr. Bawumia on December 7.
Meanwhile, former presidential hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong addressed a charged crowd at a mini-rally in Breman Essiam, promising to build a factory in the constituency if Dr. Bawumia and parliamentary candidate Dr. Rashid Kwesi Etuaful achieve victory in the elections.
Dr. Rashid, for his part, appreciated the efforts of party supporters toward ensuring electoral victory, stating that their energy indicates he will snatch the seat for the NPP in this year's election.
The NPP's tour in the region continues as Dr. Bawumia expects to visit other constituencies within the week.
Source: Breezy FM, Ajumako-Bisease