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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has sternly warned chiefs in Asanteman, and for that matter Ghana, against acting as campaign agents or spokespersons for political parties in the upcoming 2016 national elections.

He said even though it is the wish of political parties that traditional leaders openly declare their support for them so as to boost their political chances, the chiefs should know that it is not appropriate for them to engage in partisan politics.

Otumfuo reminded the chiefs that the Constitution debars them from openly engaging in partisan politics, stressing the need for the chiefs to remain politically neutral in order to maintain their huge respect in society.

“Next year, which is a political year, is fast approaching and the Constitution debars chiefs from openly indulging in partisan politics so I will entreat you to stay away from partisan politics.

“I know the political parties will visit you and they would at times try to get you on their side, in a form of openly declaring for them; but always bear in mind that you cannot do partisan politics,” he said.

The Asantehene, who is the president of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, issued the strong warning to the chiefs when he was officially closing the house for the year 2015 during a sitting at Manhyia in Kumasi.

He was of the opinion that by staying politically neutral, the political parties would have confidence and respect for the chiefs and be able to approach the chiefs with their grievances and concerns for solutions.

Otumfuo stated that as chiefs their prime concern should be about how Ghana can be developed so that the masses can have better lives “and not about the particular political party which is in government.”

He said that chiefs should always support the sitting government in the form of wise counsel, among other interventions, so as to help expedite Ghana’s growth, reiterating, “but stay away from their politics.”

The Asantehene also admonished the entire populace to be law abiding and play roles to help maintain the peaceful atmosphere in the country during and after the 2016 presidential and parliamentary polls.