PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS: WHY ASANTEHENE?

By Desmond Ayim-Aboagye
To maintain order, stability, peace, and legitimacy in the power structure, and to provide dignity to the democratic process in Ghana and its people in the next millennium and onwards, the SUPERSTRUCTURE DEMOCRACY has been propounded. The new democracy elevates democracy as a whole to a higher degree such that as an instrument in the democratic process, we are meticulously ushered into a new era of peace and stability forever. It is an achievement which we believe would be emulated by many other nations that experience trouble with their democratic processes in the continent of Africa and elsewhere in the world. Why should we need a life President for this National House of Chiefs? Why the President ought to be well recognised in Ghana and the world as a whole?

As the powerful man in the country (the President of the Republic of Ghana) is elected and has a fixed term, it would be a very good idea to maintain the office of the President of the National House of Chiefs to indefinite period, and that is why it would be unique to subscribe to the idea of a hereditary peer of unique calibre to hold this position. In the eyes of the people, this position will be equivalent to the permanent secretary position in the civil service, where we have someone always available to take the position and take care of matters while a new political leader is being considered for the position. In considering this matter of looking for someone of unique calibre, and the fact that we would like to avoid future power struggle with this unique position, then, the choice of the Asantehene of Ghana would be welcomed by many people.

The Kingdom has been known by many historians as one of the most powerful that had ever lived since Ancient times. Right from the early days of maintaining its powerful state in this region, it was known to have been successful in resisting the power of Europeans in the coast of West Africa. Therefore, we are aware of this unprecedented role the kingdom played in the sub-region of Africa for centuries of turbulence. Apart from this bravery performance in the continent to protect and shield it citizens and the people of Africa, it was one of the most noted kingdoms that were capable of maintaining stability due to the superb organisation capability their Kings had with all their sub-chiefs and officers. Moreover, though there are many Akan ethnic groups, each had very good contact with the Asantehene because originally they hail from the same ancestors. As the largest ethnic groups in the country, and having their cousins and brothers in the Northern Ghana, the Asantehene would be easily recognised to be the right candidate for this position which brings unity to the country. Finally, the wars fought by the groups in the Ancient past had always been shown to be more bravely and most of the times capable of achieving success in order to protect its citizens. That we would need a strong leader to lead the people of Ghana in our quest to be united and become strong to opposing forces around us and also in the country is unquestionable. Any force that might want to disrupt the peace we would like build and to safeguard in this sub-continent, would be met and be obstructed.

Because these reasons mentioned above, it would be appropriate that we maintain only one kingdom to fulfil this most essential function in the country, while not disregarding the superb contributions carried out by the various other kingdoms that, together with Asantehene, will be a force to be reckoned with. History has it that all these kingdoms not mentioned here had fought their enemies and succeeded in establishing strong and powerful kingdoms which brought their names to be recognised in the whole world. In the following, I share my thoughts on what I believe the President of the National House of Chiefs should do or ought to be engaged in as he prepares to take the most important function of the President that will change the history of Ghana forever:

THE RIGHT TO HAVE PALACE AT THE CAPITAL CITY

It is my believe that the life President of the National House of Chiefs should have one palace in the capital city, apart from having his own palace in the region where he has his jurisdiction. This building would be used by him or her any time he is around to perform an important function or ceremony. We are aware that there may be some occasions when he would be around to conduct an official ceremony or meet important members of the government. I do not think this will be anything that should create conflict, because after all, anybody irrespective of status should be capable of owning a house or a property here in the capital city and this has nothing to do with where you come from in the country.

REPRESENT NATIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS (COLLECTIVELY NOT INDIVIDUALLY)

As President of the National House of Chiefs, the President can represent this body collectively but not individually abroad or at home. This is done with care as each of the chiefs has it own Sovereignty and respected abroad or home. It can be mentioned that each of these chiefs is famous abroad as well as home and as for this, it is very clear to all citizens in this country.

POWER TO SUMMON THE HOUSE INTO PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

Though the individual members have the right to request for official meeting, this can be channelled through the President through his secretary. Apart from this individual wishes, it is agreed that the President has the power to summon meeting of the House and so also has the most powerful man in the country (the President of the Republic of Ghana) can.

MOUTHPIECE OF THE NATIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS (COLLECTIVELY NOT INDIVIDUALLY)

The President is the leader of the Upper House and therefore can become the ambassador of the body though each individual Chief is recognised abroad and home as strong and powerful.

THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY
In exercising this power of President, the Sovereign President can communicate this prerogative especially toward those who do a hideous crime to the state. But not until he had communicated with the most powerful man in the country, that is, the President of the Republic of Ghana. We should also sound this clear, each of the National House of Chiefs members exercise something of this sort in their local jurisdiction and as for this, let us leave it to the Lawyers in the country to expatiate on them later.

THE CREATION OR BRINGING IN NEW MEMBERS OF NATIONAL HOUSE CHIEFS

I think here we should remind ourselves that it is the work of both the President of National House of Chiefs and the most powerful man in the country, that is, the President of the Republic of Ghana that decide who should go into or become members of this former group.

GRANT HONOURS
The President of the National House of Chiefs grant honours to public figures and students who have had distinguished performances. Here also, each of the National House of Chiefs can do that and this has no conflicting problems with what the President of the Republic of Ghana does annually to public figures in the country as a whole.

ADVISES THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA ON CHIEFTAINCY ISSUES

The President of the National House of Chiefs advises the President of the Republic of Ghana, that is, the most powerful man in the country on matters affecting the chieftaincy.

In conclusion, we can argue that this office is important to the people of Ghana because it will bring order, peace, stability, dignity, and legitimacy to the office of the President of the Republic of Ghana, the latter whose desires to have these things in his country, is enormous.