Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli and President of the National House of Chiefs, has asked chiefs to comment more on national issues to reduce partisanship and political tension in the country.
He said their views as neutral expression of opinion would take away the political tension.
Togbe Afede who was addressing leaders of the Ghana Association of Assembly Members (GAAM) in Ho, said chiefs had fundamental human rights to freely comment on important national issues provided they did not support any political party and must "actively do that to reduce partisanship."
"It is true that the Constitution bars us from partisan politics, but that doesn't mean we can't deal with national issues affecting us all," said.
Togbe Afede said the fact that a political party pronounced on an issue did not mean a chief could not take the same position, "sometimes it is just coincidence, it doesn't mean the chief supports Party A or B."
He said chiefs were committed to playing their roles in national development and needed partnership from all, especially Assembly members.
Togbe Afede lamented the situation where local Assemblies allegedly hid their budgets from chiefs and said, partnership was in their mutual interest to develop the communities.
"Work with the chiefs and don't hide your books from them. That's corruption and once there's corruption, the front can't hold and there will be disunity...it is not enough to distaste corruption, we have to fight it," he said.
Togbe Afede asked Assembly members to be selfless and exhibit values of honesty and integrity to support chiefs build a better country to discourage people from seeking greener pastures abroad with issues of abuses.
Mr Charles Adu, President of GAAM, appealed to Togbe Afede to champion the request for an enhanced welfare package for Assembly members.
Source: GNA
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Remove your NDC, colours, else no sensible person will listen to you. All your statements are too political against NPP.
TOGBE AFEDZI AND NATIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS MUST CONDEMN DORMAAHENE. THE ADDRESS OF DORMAHENE PROMOTE CHAOS, DISORDER AND DISUNITY. IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF A TRADITIONAL CHIEF LIKE HIM TO UTTER SUCH WORDS EVEN IN SECRETE LET ALONE TO DO SO IN PUBLIC. HIS DEMEANOR AND WORDS DO NOT COMMAND THE RESPECT THAT WE DEEM OUR LEADERS. IF TOGBE AFEDZE AND NATIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS FAIL TO CONDEMN THE STATEMENTS OF DORMAHENE THAT HE CAN PREVENT REGISTRATION IN HIS TRADITIONAL COUNCIL, AND THE MANNER BY WHICH HE SAID IT THROWING OUT HIS SHOULDERS, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR HIM AND HOUSE OF CHIEFS TO BECOME SIGNIFICANT IN THE RESOLUTION OF ANY PROBLEM IN THE NATION. THEY MUST BE CAPABLE TO CLEAN THEIR HOUSE BEFORE THEY CAN HELP OTHER TO CLEAN THEIR HOUSE. IT WILL LEAD TO THE LOSS OF THE USEFULNESS OF THE CHIEFS.
Of course, but not show 'political colors' as the present NHC is doing: NDC against election of MCEs etc, NHC against; NDC against new voters' register, Togbui and co 'summon. EC, ... and the Chief of Dormaa ... awww, no comment. Please, Tobgui Afede, we know you are NDC (despite your 'NDC financial committee' backtrack). That's why we don't trust you. Now we have 'NPP'-chiefs and 'NDC' chiefs, so how do you expect your comments on national issues not be seen as 'colored', when it is supportin the views of only one side of the debate? You see?, Now people will take their issues directly to Otumfuor Osei Tutu Ababio than to the NHC ... it speaks volumes.