Nana Kofi Senyah, a local government expert, has recommended the exemption of chiefs from the Council of State and has advised chiefs to stay away from bidding for membership on the Council.
He said involving Chiefs would defeat the constitutional requirements as they would be indirectly dabbling in partisan politics against the fact that the MMDAS which form the Electoral College to elect reps from the regions are not partisan.
The Council of State is a small body of prominent citizens, which functions on the lines of the Council of Elders in the traditional political system, which advises the President in the exercise of his powers on national issues.
Chapter 9, Article 89 of the 1992 Constitution provides that (1) There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions.
The clause (d) also provides that eleven other members shall be appointed by the President and that the Council of State shall elect a chairman from among its members.
The constitution also provides that the Council of State should include a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of the Defence Staff and a former Inspector-General of Police and the President of the National House of Chiefs and that each region of Ghana also has an elected representative besides the appointment of other stakeholders by the President.
Explaining his position, Nana Kofi Senyah, said Chiefs have an automatic representation on the Council of State in the appointment of the President of the National House of Chiefs and that the election of more than two chiefs besides the President of the National House of Chiefs is unconstitutional.
Nana Senyah explained further that every segment of society is represented on the Council of State for which reason Chiefs must stay clear of the advisory body to avoid duplication of functions and a drain on resources.
The former KMA Presiding member argued that it would be a breach of the Constitution if, for instance, all the regions elect Chiefs to represent them on the Council.
He mentioned that the current membership, chaired by Nana Otuo Siriboe II, also has more than five other chiefs including Nana Owusu Achiaw Brempong (Ashanti), Oseadeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV (Bono East), Katakyie Kwasi Bumaga II (Western North), Nana Yaw Basoa (Ahafo), Odeefuo Afankwa III (Central) and Kuoro Richard Banini Kanton VI.
According to the exponent, in spite of the constitutional provisions, Chiefs are currently lobbying the MMDAs to vote them to represent the various regions.
To avoid this anomaly, Nana Senyah recommended that no Chief should be entertained to bid for a slot in any region besides the appointment of a President of the National House of Chiefs by the President as stipulated in the Constitution.
He said it is obvious that such chiefs come on board for partisan reasons which interest is provided for in the appointment of 11other stakeholders by the President noting that representatives from the regions come to complement the shortfalls of those members appointed by the President for the composition of the membership of the Council of State.
It is in view of these arguments that Nana Senyah contends that chiefs must be discouraged in their bid and avoid the state advisory body from becoming partisan in nature by self seeking individuals. E N D
Source: www.kumasimail.com / Barimah Atuahene
