It’s unjust to bar chiefs from political issues – Okyenhene

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The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has called for a review of the law barring chiefs and traditional leaders from commenting on political issues.

According to the Okyenhene, the situation is unjust since it is preventing chiefs from advising their subjects on political policies that may or may not be beneficial to their various traditional areas

He insisted that the rule infringes on the democratic rights of traditional leaders and also limits the crucial role chiefs play in development.

The Okyenhene made this declaration when the Chieftaincy and Religious Minister, Ebenezer Kojo Kum paid a courtesy call on him on Tuesday.

“I find it very unfair that chiefs cannot share their opinion on a policy that may be directed towards a particular political party. We have something called ‘unjust law’ and when there is such a law you can protest and speak. So to say that Nananom cannot comment on policies is very unjust and so we have tolook at that.

“This is because you are taking someone’s democratic constitutional rights from him or her that they can’t participate in the laws that governs the country because of his status,” he said.

Still focusing on the law, the Okyenhene also raised concern about chief’s inability to contest for political offices.

He questioned why a chief must first abdicate his position before participating in a parliamentary elections.  Citing lawyers, surveyors and other professional workers who do not have to renounce or resign from their expertise fields, the Okyenhene inquired why chiefs cannot do same.

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