Article 276(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana prevents chiefs from engaging in active party politics and if they so wish, they have to abdicate their stool or skin.
However, some traditional leaders prior to the December 7, 2024 elections flouted the law and went ahead to endorse their preferred presidential candidates they wanted to be elected as President.
With the general elections now concluded, Ghanaweb takes a look at some five traditional leaders who ahead of the general elections sticked their necks out and endorsed Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who was the New Patriotic Party(NPP) Flagbearer.
Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Area:
The Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Area in the Western North Region, Katakyi Kwasi Bumangama ll, declared his support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections
He subsequently predicted a resounding victory for its flagbearer, Dr Muhammadu Bawumia in the December polls.
During a courtesy visit to his Palace by Dr. Bawumia, as part of his three-day tour of the region, Katakyi Bumangama ll, could not hide his political colour as he declared:
“I want to assure you that I’m still your father and you can always depend on Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Council for overwhelming victory come December 7.”
Katakyi urged all his divisional chiefs, queen mothers and NPP supporters to vote massively for the Party in the polls.
“I urge each and every one that you should go out there in your numbers on December 7 and vote for Festus Bumagama Agyeapong who is my biological son as Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi-Wiawso Constituency and Dr Muhammadu Bawumia as the next President.”
Paramount Chief of Kpassa Traditional Area:
The Paramount Chief of the Kpassa Traditional Area, Dr. Ubor Tossan Konja VI, endorsed the candidacy of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, Dr. Bawumia has already been ordained as the next president of the country, dismissing the need for him to campaign extensively across the nation.
Dr. Ubor Tossan Konja VI made this known in a video sighted by GhanaWeb on Monday, October 28, 2024, when Dr. Bawumia paid him a courtesy visit during his tour of the Oti Region.
“As for the election, you have already won. Your campaign tour is simply an opportunity to engage with the youth who may not yet know you as Ghana’s President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. There is no need for you to campaign because victory is already yours,” he said.
Acting President of the Akrodie Traditional Council:
Acting President of the Akrodie Traditional Council, Nana Darko Kuffuor, predicted a massive win for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the December 7 general elections.
He said Dr. Bawumia’s works speak volumes of what he is capable of doing when eventually elected as president, and thus asked the chiefs and people in the area to vote for him during the December 7 polls.
This was when Dr. Bawumia, who is the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), visited Akrodie in the Asunafo North Constituency as part of his two-day campaign tour of some parts of the Ahafo Region.
Speaking at a stakeholder’s engagement, Nana Darko Kuffuor said, “Vice President Bawumia is a big brain that gives birth to great visions and ambitions; one that brought forth a university here in Akrodie deserves appreciation, but our only prayer is for him to do something about the Asumura road for us when we vote massively for him.”
He, therefore, asked all chiefs in the area and people of Akrodie to support him and his candidature to enable him continue the good works he has begun, saying, “May the good Lord be with him so that when he comes, whatever he does will be successful.”
That, he said, was because “I know if you look at the crowd here, you can tell that if elections were held today, you would have won.”
Paramount chief of the Dwenim Awasu traditional area:
The paramount chief of the Dwenim Awasu traditional area in Jaman South, Awasumanhene Nana Bofobene IV, stated that the future of the country rests in the hands of the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by Dr Bawumia, the chief praised Dr Bawumia’s leadership and vision for the country, stressing that he had confidence in Dr Bawumia’s capabilities.
He said Dr Bawumia’s role as vice-president had demonstrated his capability to steer Ghana towards a prosperous future, particularly in the areas of digitalisation, economic reform and technological innovation.
Nana Bofobene noted that Dr Bawumia’s forward-thinking policies could secure a better future for the next generation, urging Ghanaians to rally behind his candidacy.
Nana Bofobene called on the people of the constituency to support Dr Bawumia’s bid for the presidency in the 2024 elections, believing that his leadership held the key to unlocking Ghana’s potential.
He wished the vice-president success in his campaign and expressed optimism that his presidency would lead to lasting positive change for the country.
“Even though you don’t hail from here, we don’t see you as such because your good deeds are following you. You are not an ordinary mate, but you have probed issues and seen the policies that can make the country progress.”
“The future of Ghana and my people rests in your hands,” he stated.
Queen Mother of Bechem in the Ahafo Region, Nana Adwoa Por Dwamena:
The Queen Mother of Bechem in the Ahafo Region, Nana Adwoa Por Dwamena, made a strong appeal to the people of Ghana to make Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the next president of Ghana.
Addressing a gathering in the presence of the vice president on October 1, 2024, Nana Por Dwamena stated that Dr. Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), would take Ghana to the next level when he becomes president.
According to her, Dr. Bawumia has performed admirably as vice president and should be given the chance to lead the country.
“Let us choose a person who would be good for us, someone who does what he says. I’m begging you not to look at anything else; let us consider what is good for the country, so that our children and grandchildren will have a better life.
“I beg you, don’t let Ghana go back, let Ghana move forward, let Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia continue so we would test him and see. He has done some, and he will continue to do more. So I am asking the people of Ghana, the people of Bechem, the people of Ahafo, to vote wisely,” she said in Twi.
She added, “They say traditional leaders are not supposed to be doing politics, but we would give testimony to what we have seen, and I would continue to do that. I know that when he (Bawumia) comes, Ghana will take back its glory. And so, my son, don’t be afraid, be brave, the victory is yours.”
KA
After the December 2024 polls, there have been security concerns across the country. Catch Etsey Atisu’s interview with security analyst, Adib Saani, on Election Desk on GhanaWeb TV below:
