Chiefs Urged To Adopt Code of Conduct to Guarantee Peaceful Elections

Mr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Senior Research Officer of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) on Thursday advocated that all traditional authorities should promulgate and adopt codes of conduct to guide them in the run-up, during and after the general elections.

He said such developments would guarantee their neutrality and translate into free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections.

He warned that politicians had usually exploited chieftaincy and land litigation matters to the disadvantage of traditional areas and therefore appealed to those in charge of the institution of chieftaincy to close up their ranks, give reason to succession and traditional electoral colleges during selection of successors to the thrones.

Mr Asante who made these remarks at the Gbi Traditional Council’s general meeting/election workshop at Hohoe, said traditional authorities were likely to shirk their unifying stature and sacrifice all avenues for mediation in disputes when they towed partisan political lines.

The meeting was at the instance of Togbega Gabusu, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, and attracted chiefs and Queens from the 20 Traditional Areas. It had as its theme, “The Role of Traditional Authority in an Election Year.”

Mr Asante said the role of traditional authority to peaceful election is crucial to consolidating the country’s fledgling democracy, which had become a beacon of hope and admiration.

He said as custodians of land and communities they should champion values and norms that unite the people and shame wrongdoing at all times.

Togbega Gabusu, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area and President of the Council, called on technocrats in the democratisation process to consider extending the ban on chiefs from participating in partisan politics to cover religious leaders also, since they had direct influence on the large membership of their congregations which could have negative repercussions.

He said the influence of religious leadership in politics could be deadlier than traditional influence, considering the upsurge of religious fundamentalism and fanaticism, adding that “every human is a political animal.”

Togbega Gabusu observed that the constitutional provision that banned chiefs from active partisan politics failed to prescribe sanctions in default.

He pledged on behalf of his colleague chiefs to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Dr Mrs Margaret Kweku, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive used the occasion to dispell rumors making the rounds that the biometric machines were likely to transfer cancerous diseases to registrers when they come into contact with the machine.

She said the rumors were unfortunate and could not be proven scientifically. she appealed to traditional authorities to educate their subjects to massively turn up for the registration exercise.

Mr Kwabena Kwame Karikari, Hohoe Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission said the exercise, which would last between Saturday, March 24 and May 5, had been categorised into four phases with a total of 116 and 69 registration centres for Hohoe North and Hohoe South Constituencies respectively.

He gave the assurance that necessary logistics had been procured for a smooth take-off, and reminded prospective applicants to carry along either their passports, driver’s license, NHIS cards, National Identification cards or the old voter identity cards when they go to register.

Mr Francis Duse, Hohoe Municipal Director of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) said it was a civic responsibility for all citizens who are 18 years and above and of sound mind to exercise their franchise and therefore should patronize the biometric registration exercise.**