Chiefs cannot be excluded from Ghana's democracy - Otumfuo

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has advocated for inclusion of chiefs in Ghana's democracy.

Delivering this year's democracy lecture organised by the National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE, he said traditional authorities cannot be excluded from playing a role in the country's democratic process.

Under the 1992 constitution, traditional authorities are excluded from taking part in active party politics.

But Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has argued there is nothing wrong with chiefs assisting to advance the course of Ghana's democracy.

Despite their democratic credentials, there were monarchs in Great Britain, Kingdoms of Netherlands, Norway Sweden, Spain and several other countries he said.

“Is there any country more democratic than these great States yet all of them are headed by monarchs”, he noted.

He alluded to the Commonwealth and said the foundation of its influence was the monarchy despite the institution's “abiding values” of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

He said: “It is difficult to think of any institution that has done more to advance the cause of democracy than the Commonwealth. But if the truth be told the Commonwealth has been held together by the overriding allegiance and respect for the uniting influence of British monarch”

He concluded saying enlightened monarchies provide their countries with the spirit of unity and national pride