The paramount chief of Wiawso traditional area, Katakyie Kwasi Bumankamah II, has called on the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, to give back authority to the chiefs if elected President for them to contribute towards development.
According to him, the power which the traditional authority hitherto, wielded, has been taken from them, making their subjects disregard them.
Speaking to John Mahama as part of his ‘Building Ghana Together Tour’ in the Western North region, the Wiawsomanhene said the National House of Chiefs has bought into the agenda of supporting John Mahama if he gives them the power through the 1992 Constitution.
“I am glad you have visited me in my palace. Let me make this point that politicians have taken the powers of the chiefs, who are now powerless to the extent that people I summon to appear before threaten to take me to court, but this was not the case in the past.
“If [Mr Mahama] wants to come back then he should give us that power again and we will all support him,” he stated.
The Council of State member noted that the indiscipline exhibited towards them by their subjects has festered to the extent that some even threaten to sue them when they summon them to their palace.
In a related development, John Mahama says he does not want the election management body to rig the election either in his or his opponent’s favour.
Speaking to a charged crowd of students of the Wiaso College of Education and Nursing training, the former President said a credible election is dependent on the Electoral Commission’s posture.
“They should do their duty to God and country. They shouldn’t cheat for anybody. I don’t want them to cheat for me and they shouldn’t rig the election for anybody,” John Mahama stressed, adding that “they should let the wishes of the Ghanaian people prevail.”
“Electoral Commission Officers, I am appealing to your conscience and your heart, on that day 7th December when you come out, do your work as strictly and according to the rules as possible,” he pleaded.
Meanwhile, the former President pointed out to the gathering that it is he and the opposition NDC that can rescue the country which is currently in tatters.
He touted his experience and urged the crowd to endorse him for the high office on December 7 next year, following his records as former president.
The country “needs rescuing. I have that experience, I have been President of Ghana before and you all know the work that I did when I was President. I know that on 7th December, 2024, insha Allah, NDC will win the election.”
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