Avoid political chop-chop – Otumfuo raps Chiefs

OTUMFUO OSEI Tutu II, the Asantehene, has advised chiefs in the country to stay united and not allow politicians to divide their front with free gifts and money.

According to him, there is a growing trend of traditional leaders losing their relevance in the country, basically due to interference from politicians so chiefs must be careful.

He stated emphatically that chiefs were reneging on their duties as fathers of the country and if care is not taken chieftaincy institution would lose total respect very soon.

Otumfuo was speaking during the official commissioning of the National House of Chiefs Building, which has been renovated at the cost of GHC3.5 million in Kumasi.

The Asantehene said chiefs that are fond of depending on politicians for free gifts were not helping chieftaincy institution so they should stop that weird behaviour.

“Chiefs are the fathers of the country but why are you not being recognised as such?” he asked, saying that it is because chiefs were not acting right as expected of them.

“We troop to politicians and beg them for certain things so we are divided at the front”, the Asantehene pointed out, and said nothing should divide the front of traditional leaders.

“You should not run to politicians for gifts because such acts have the tendency of demeaning the image and respect of traditional leaders”, Otumfuo warned chiefs.

He said “you should rather let the politicians come to you for advice, let politicians come to you for direction”, noting that the chieftaincy institution ought to be well protected.

The Asantehene said chieftaincy institution still has something significant to offer towards the progress of the country, therefore chiefs must put their house in order.

According to him, even though some socialists groups have questioned the relevance of chieftaincy institution, if chiefs sit up and act right, chiefs would remain relevant.

“Some socialists groups and the youth have recently questioned the relevance of chiefs but we will remain relevant if we do the right thing”, the Asantehene said.

The Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Kofi Dzamesi, on his part, disclosed that government has decided to refund the GHC3.5 million used to renovate the building.

Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, urged chiefs to make sure that upcoming elections into the various regional and national house of chiefs would be peaceful.

Togbe Afede, the President of the National House of Chiefs, the Minister of National Security, Kan Dapaah, Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, were present.