Ghana's Democratic Journey: Role Of Chiefs and religious leaders

The 1992 constitution of Ghana in article 276 and 277 debars traditional rulers from engaging in politics in the country, our respected traditional rulers and religious leaders nontheless continue to make significant contributions to nurturing our democracy with an ultimate objective to push for development of the country.

They often make these contributions through subtle, quiet and underground operations known and unknown to many Ghanaians before, during and after general elections.

They also enjoy freedom of speech, as enshrined in Article 12 ( 1) of the constitution of the country and therefore do occasionally make known publicly their views on matters affecting the nation, citizens, particularly their subjects.

Occasionally though some of the traditional rulers go overboard by meddling in the growing partisan politics currently troubling the country's democratic journey.

An example that would suffice, in 2008, when the President of the National House of Chiefs, the late Odeneho Gyapong Ababio mounted the political platform of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in his traditional area at Sefwi Bekwai to speak fervently about the party and ended up endorsing the Presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the bizarre conduct was overwhelmingly condemned by well meaning Ghanaians and elements of opposition political parties in the country.

He incurred the displeasure of the loudest elements within the largest opposition party then thus National Democratic Congress (NDC) for dancing to the tune of the ruling New Patriotic Party then. An unfortunate development which subsequently affected the relationship that had existed between the traditional ruler and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) .

When the 2008 general elections result favoured the NDC party, he was not considered for anything in government despite his influence at the time. Other traditional rulers were however considered for board memberships in government and some for council of state positions.

There are countless cases of traditional rulers going out of the constitutional barrier to engage in open politics with unnecessary endorsement of political parties, candidates, especially flag bearers, or aspiring lawmakers.

There are equally those traditional rulers who turn to abuse their influence by determining those who must occupy certain positions in the NPP and NDC, the two major political parties in Ghana. When they are in government, they follow up to influence appointments either through lobbying or blackmail.

In extreme cases, some even submit list of their favourites to local authorities, the political parties and central government to push their favourites into higher offices of power and authority.

Whilst many of the chiefs usually gamble with the sacred role they are supposed to play by dancing to the tune of politicians, meddling in politics and engaging in open campaign with the endorsement of candidates, others still remain pure, sacred and true to the traditional values, norms, their calling and the constitutional requirements.

ROLE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Office of National Chief Imam, Christian Council of Ghana, Catholic Bishops Conference,

Charismatic Churches Group, Ahmadiyya Muslims Mission, etc.

Aside our respected chiefs, religious leaders are not also allowed to engage in any form of politics in Ghana due to sensitive nature of religious fanatism, the ardours task of rallying citizens (people) around the Supreme Being (God) to avoid potential threats of religious conflicts that could mar the beauty of the country's democratic journey.

The Catholic Bishops Conference, the Christian Council of Ghana, Office of the National Chief Imam, Charismatic Churches Group, Ahmadiyya Muslims Mission, among other notable groups have over the years engaged governments, political parties, Electoral Commission (EC) on how democratic governance could improve the welfare of citizens in the country.

They work on the quiet closely with the Electoral Commission (EC) especially during elections to soften entrenched positions when middle grounds ought to be brokered for political party actors to follow rules and accept processes, proceedings and outcomes of national polls.

But, there are those men of God who would go the extreme way of sacrificing the pulpit and engaging in matters obviously smelling political colorations. Their conduct no longer appear as surprising to many Ghanaians because they have declared their respective positions on issues of governance and political activism.

They would predict election results for and against political parties, emphasize on miracles and the vision they receive about political leaders, and through that offer prophesies to encourage or discourage aspiring leaders, or those already occupying various positions in political offices, within government and outside government.

In the process of getting their hands soiled with political coloration, they often jump to take credit when candidates and political parties record achievements, when those they support chalk victories they celebrate, and share revelations of warning signs when they feel they are witnessing any sign of defeat awaiting their favourite political parties and candidates.

FORMATION OF NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL

The numerous chieftaincy disputes, minor religious disturbances across the country, fueled by political violence compelled the administration of President John Agyekum Kufuor who ruled Ghana from 2001-2008, to establish the National Peace Council (NPC) .

A council, with its full potential representation clearly been dominated by respected opinion leaders, religious leaders and spiced up with selected influential civil society actors in the Ghanaian society.

The council, when it was constituted by the President did not have any legal backing and therefore operated in the vacuum in maintaining peace in areas considered volatile only through the directive of the executive authority.

Through their effort, many protracted chieftaincy, religious and land disputes that had inundated the country were tackled head-on for amicable resolutions whilst new strategies were discovered by members through experience garnered to shape the conduct and operations of the organization going into the future.

Subsequently, the government under Professor John Evans Atta Mills sought parliamentary approval and got the required legal backing to empower members of the council to function properly.

The National Peace Council Act 2011, Act 818 was therefore enacted to give the council an incredible voice with reasonable authority to function and execute its mandate accordingly.

Under the circumstance, many of the chieftaincy issues, religious disturbances, communal clashes previously emanating from communities, and consequently causing violence in parts of the country whilst punching hard the democratic journey became submerged after they had been tamed, resolved, reduced, and contained by the council.

All violent spots previously identified as trouble zones across the country were strategically mapped out and contained before, during and after the 2012 and 2016 general elections under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.

This positive development, has since remained the normal role of the council during electioneering period, said Alhaji Saeed Jallo, a former member of the council in Western Region.

The popular chieftaincy case of Abudu-and Andani-gates in the Dagbon kingdom which had prevailed for many years got resolved finally in November 2018 through the effort of the three eminent chiefs, king of Ashanti kingdom Asantehene, King of Mamprugu kingdom Naa Yiri, and King of Gonja kingdom Yagbonwura, who were assigned by the administration of President John Agyekum Kufuor to intervene when things appeared to have gotten out of hand.

They were however assisted by successive members of the National Peace Council who were doing all the background work to douse flaming tension and flaring tampers that were glaringly threatening the peace process.

In Takoradi in the Western Region, an area known as Apremdo had years of land dispute with Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The farming community where one of the wings of the military (the infantry regiment) had been stationed, had accused the army of taking over all their farm lands.

They fought for restoration of the community land for so many years when successive governments from Jerry John Rawlings, first president of the fourth republic to John Agyekum Kufuor, second, John Evans Atta Mills, third and John Dramani Mahama, fourth all attempted offering solutions to no avail.

Most former Ministers of Defense, Western Regional Ministers who came closer to the subject matter would attest to the important role the National Peace Council played on the quiet to reduce inflammations, infractions and instigations that potentially had consequences on sustenance of peace in the area and its environments.

A protracted chieftaincy dispute in the same community, which had persisted for many years and crippled development, the relationship the military command had with the community eventually got settled through the effort of the council.

The key players who were neck deep claimed it was settled through judicious use of diplomacy by influential figures who had clamoured for a lasting peace in the area. Eventually, when peace was restored, a new Chief Nana Egya Kwamena was enstooled, and he has since presided over activities in the community for over ten years.

In Western Region, Sekondi and Takoradi communities have had issues with chieftaincy disputes, whilst they exist, they have all been managed through the judiciary system. All unsettled issues pending still going through same process with the council constantly monitoring developments from afar and working on the quiet with national security, Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to contain all potential threats.

In the Upper East Region, the Mamprusis and Kusasis in Bawku community, have had protracted chieftaincy issues, but the role of the council though undisclosed remain phenomenal.

In the Volta Region, Nkonya and Alavanyo people living in the same territory and sharing common boundaries have had many years of land dispute spanning ages, and passed through the regimes of all the governments under the fourth republic.

Here, the role of the National Peace Council has provided hope for both warring factions. They (council members) have been keeping an eye on the controversial land. At least, their engagements with the key actors in collaboration with the police, national security, and the Ghana Armed Forces has kept the area peaceful despite occasional attacks and counter attacks.

It is necessary therefore to acknowledge the role of our respected chiefs and religious leaders who are committed to the democratic ideals of the country and working to enhance the process.

Again, it is worrying to underscore painfully the disturbances of traditional rulers who are only concerned about their stomachs and would sell their conscience to politicians to disturb the democratic process.

It is also mind boggling to acknowledge the damage being caused to the tenets of democracy by fake religious leaders who are constantly preaching doom, predicting election results especially during and after general elections.

What they are failing to realize is that we are together in this business called democracy, we either succeed together or fail together.

Columnist: Zambaga Rufai Saminu