THE Omanhene of Domeabra Traditional Council, Baffour Owusu Bediako, has strongly hinted of the involvement of traditional authorities in this year’s General elections.
Though they are legally debared from partisan politics, the Paramount Chief categorically stated that they have the right to scrutinise policies and determine which will favour the majority of the people they lead.
He said, chiefs will lead the 2024 campaign, not by mounting Political stage, but through the scrutiny of policies of all parties, and offer cogent advice to its subjects.
According to him, they are the custodian of the land and representatives of the people, therfore, have a stake in the decision making process of the country.
Explaining the reason behind this statement, the Omanhene was emphatic that election 2024 is a determinant factor to the progress or otherwise of the country.
Welcoming the NPP Running Mate for the 2024 election, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako to his palace, the chief explained that every policy by political parties has a direct influence on the people, and therefore, he will ensure that the right policies that will be of greater benefit to his people is what should be supported.
He lamented that though traditional authorities do not have the legal backing to mount political platforms, chiefs will not sit unconcerned and watch their progress to derail.
To him, the prime purpose by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to put them in charge of various traditional jurisdictions, was to seek the total welfare of their subjects.
” This is exactly what we will do for our people on behalf of our King. As chiefs it’s our aim to ensure our people have better lives through the policies that Political parties propose. ‘
Touting the massive projects and policies of the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s administration, he re-echoed policies such as; the Free Senior High School, 1-D-1-F, among others, adding that these policies have had a positive telling effect on the people.
“This programme by the NPP government has helped put money in the pockets of even we the chiefs…I once visited the Domeabra SHS and looking at the numbers there, I asked myself: would I been able to afford fees of 1/10 of the population here? That was when I actually realised how important it is to support this policy” Baffour Owusu Bediako further explained.
The chief also talked of the road projects in his jurisdictions and called for speedy work on them.
He also encouraged the constituents to ensure the retention of the Member of Parliament for the Asante Akyem North constituency, Andy Appiah Kubi.
He expressed appreciation to the Running Mate, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, for the respect given to the people of the traditional area .
After series of exchanges of pleasantries, the Running Mate took the floor to explain his reason for the visit.
He re-echoed the party’s vision of effective partnership with traditional authorities in the governance of the country.
In his view, Nananom remain development originators and it was important that the NPP kept a closer partnership with them.
According to NAPO, the purpose of his visit was to seek cogent advice from Nananom, and, to ultimately, remind them of why the NPP still remains the best political party in the country.
In a show of unity of purpose, the Running Mate spoke highly of the MP for the area, Andy Appiah Kubi. And urged that he is maintained for the interest of the Constituency and the country’s development.
