Why Is The National House Of Chiefs Failing To Bite?

Professor John S. Nabila

Any patriotic Ghanaian, who has the country at heart, must be a worried man at the moment due to the litany of challenges facing us. A sovereign country like Ghana, which was the first country in the sub-sahara Africa to have gained independence, is currently wobbling in heaps of mess due to bad leaders who are in charge of our affairs. At the moment, the nation is experiencing the worst ever power problems which has affected and collapsed some companies, thereby deteriorating our already unemployed situation. The issue of irregular water supply across the length and breadth of the country must be given the needed attention, but it seems the authorities in charge are not giving it the due attention it deserves.

The recent fuel hikes coupled with persistent gas shortages cannot be relegated to the background. The manner in which our graduates continue to remain unemployed, industry contributing to the payment of more taxes, while a number of projects started under former President Kufuor's administration, intended to bring relief to the citizens, have been left to rot cannot be swept under the carpet. As the Chairman of the defunct Ghana Democratic Movement, this is where my agony stems from, and as the main architect of the 1992 Democracy, I strongly believe that Democracy ought to bring forth development, but after 20 years of democratic practice, living conditions in the country continue to worsen deplorably. While the government has failed to empower some institutions to function suitably, some autonomous institutions which have the teeth to bite without direct government influence cannot be forgiven for their continuous silence.

One of such body is the National House chiefs, headed by Naa Professor John S. Nabila. The Chieftaincy institution was a very strong tradition which ruled the country many years before the advent of the Europeans. While the 1992 constitution forbids Chiefs from active partisan politics, the National House of Chiefs body offers Chiefs, a different but similar tool to voice their concerns when matters of the state are in turmoil. However, under the tenure of Naa Professor John S. Nabila as the President of the National House of Chiefs, who was once a Presidential Minister in charge of Security under the late Dr. Hilla Limann's government with Dr. F.M Yiney as deputy, under whose watchful eyes saw Flt. Lt. JJ Rawlings succeed with his revolutionary coup in 1979, the traditional body has fast lost its might. Instead of issuing statements on the last December disputed general elections, irregular power supply, high rate of graduate unemployment, the body has issued no statements to that effect, and perhaps, it portrays the President's lack of interest in matters  which is giving everybody headache.

Again, the National House of Chiefs' genuine neutrality in politics was defeated when the President, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, led a team of chiefs to rain praises on President John Mahama at the Flag Staff House in the face of legal tussles over the results. In the same manner, the NPP's flag bearer in the 2012 election, Nana Akufo-Addo, also deserves a better treatment from the National House of Chiefs for the maturity he has exhibited, especially after the results declaration. Nana Akufo-Addo could have incited his million of supporters to protest the results by urging them to hit the streets, but as a patriotic citizen and a good politician, he has sought redress in court. I am of the firm belief that his tolerance informed Reila Odinga of Kenya to seek redress in court after Kenya election results also suffered similar fate. Will the national House of Chiefs turn round to call on Nana Akufo-Addo in the event of the verdict being delivered in his favour?

As a business magnate, who spent most of my time in the Great Britain to redeem Ghana from military regime, I know how powerful institutions in society help streamline matters of national importance. A similar case of international relevance could be derived from Britain's experience. During the tenure of James Harold Wilson, Prime Minister of Britain from 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1976, there was mass upheaval against his government economic policies which brought about unjustifiable social and economic hardships on the citizenry. There were consistent demonstrations and strikes just as it has been the case for President Mahama. This moved the Queen to personally intervene to bring issues to permanent rest. Eventually, the Prime Minister resigned honourably and a new date for elections was set, which even shocked some of his Labour Party supporters. I am not calling on the National House of chiefs to force the President to resign, but rather want the body to add its voice to raging issues bothering the nation since their silence is highly inconceivable.

The warmly manner the President led the chiefs to receive the 12 Toyota Land Crusier vehicles and other donations heaped on some Chiefs, Odikros and Headsmen by the President during the last general elections campaign still continues to prick moles of suspicion in some people's minds. It has become apparent that, the presentations have stolen the chieftancy's vibrant commitment to add value to our democracy.

I have also learnt with shock, a call by the Gomoa Omanhene asking for increases in allowances for chiefs. Every loyal citizen is aware of the economic challenges facing the country at the moment, and a demand for allowance increase for chiefs for no tangible work done, smacks of heartlessness. The Chief should rather demand from the government better living conditions for their subjects since most communities lack basic amenities such as potable water, good schools, electricity, roads, just to mention a few. The more chiefs in the country open their arms to receive  all manner of rewards from the Presidency, the weaker the institution becomes in criticising the government when it goes wrong. This posturing by the chiefs throws  the revered chieftaincy institution to the dogs. If I had been selfish with my resources and declined not to spend my fortune on democracy in Ghana. I spent close to 50years in the UK, out of which I used 19 years in active struggle to return Ghana to democracy. I was even advised by my family, as well as close friends to give up to my pursuit, but as a devoted Christian, I thought I would incur God's wrath, if I was to allow myself to be distracted from my course. But having sacrificed all my life for my country's well-being, I have not been recognised by anyone let alone to be rewarded in any form. This is the kind of patriotism I am challenging the chiefs and, for that matter, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, to show.

Just last week, the various teacher unions unwillingly suspended their strike actions after about 10 days of strike, and that was due to the President's intervention. Within 24 hours of the Teacher union strike suspension, members of the Ghana Medical Association, as well as University Teachers' Association of Ghana have also laid down their tools.

Although this has become the order of the day, the trend is a disturbing and poses a major setback on the Labour front. As the President of an impeccable institution like National House of Chiefs, I do not think that the former head of the Geography Department of University of Ghana, Na Professor John S. Nabila, would be content that, it was during his tenure that the National House of Chiefs became a poodle. It is time the chieftaincy institution equally wakes up from its slumber to help find alternative solutions to our compounding problems.

Finally, when the National House of Chiefs becomes forthright with poignant statement on matters of national interest, it will go a long way to redeem the image of the Chieftaincy Institution which was once a force to reckon with.  Indeed, since democracy is about free speech, every comment from a Democrat dignifies the beauty of democracy.

Chairman
Ghana Democratic Movement