A historian at the University of Ghana’s Institute of African Studies, Kwaku Darko Ankrah, has reiterated that chiefs hold absolute authority within their traditional domain, and deserve respect from the President.
This statement was made in response to an incident that occurred at a recent ceremony in Damongo, where President Akufo-Addo’s bodyguards instructed a traditional ruler to stand up and greet him.
Before this, a video surfaced showing President Akufo-Addo instructing chiefs at a funeral to rise before shaking hands with him.
The incidents involving President Akufo-Addo and the chiefs have sparked debate among Ghanaians about the proper protocol for interacting with traditional rulers.
However, Mr Ankrah stated that chiefs have authority and influence in their communities and should be treated accordingly.
“They are talking about the derivation of the authority of these two important powerhouses. I mean the President and the chief. So what it is, is that since the traditional authorities have their power in their traditional area or jurisdiction that they rule.
“They constitute absolute power in that area so that when you are a guest and you are visiting a chief, you must also respect the traditional authority.”
“In the same way when he also comes to your place in your presidency, he must also offer you that sort of respect,” he said.
Meanwhile, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has condemned President Akufo-Addo’s recent interaction with a chief in the Oti Region, describing it as unpresidential and disrespectful to traditional leaders.
In a social media post on Monday, April 29, Mr Mahama expressed concern over President Akufo-Addo’s conduct, stating that political observers should take it seriously.
He emphasised that the President’s actions undermine the dignity of chiefs in the country.
Source: myjoyonline.com
