Constitution should define role of Chiefs - Agogohene

Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Agogohene on Monday called for a national arrangement for a constitutional change to define the role of the traditional leaders in the country. He said although the constitution gave much place to the chieftaincy institution, it was, however, silent on clear cut policies on the roles that chiefs could play to speed up national aspirations of good health, environmental cleanliness and sound education.

"For any meaningful progress in health, environment and education, the chiefs should have real powers to call people to order," he said. He was speaking at a symposium in Accra on the topic, "Chieftaincy and Democratic Governance in Ghana."

The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development organised the symposium as part of activities to mark the third anniversary of the ascension of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to the throne. Nana Sarpong said if these anomalies were not addressed the chiefs would continue to be marginalized and manipulated in the governance and administration of the country. "Unless this was done chiefs would continue to be the glorified messengers of the Presidency."