By Jones Anlimah
A retired Supreme Court justice, His Lordship Justice Jones Dotse, has called on chiefs in Ghana to uphold political neutrality to foster unity and development in their communities. Speaking at the 2nd Annual Memorial Lecture in honor of Togbega Noagbesenu III, the late Paramount Chief of the Awate Traditional Area, Justice Dotse emphasized the need for chiefs to adhere to constitutional provisions barring them from active partisan politics.
Article 276 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution explicitly states that a chief shall not take part in active party politics. It further requires any chief who wishes to contest parliamentary elections to abdicate their stool or skin. While commending this constitutional directive as “laudable,” Justice Dotse expressed concern over the lack of an enforcement mechanism, which, in his view, renders the provision ineffective.
“My own observations and thoughts on this matter are that whilst the Constitution’s injunction on chiefs engaging in active partisan politics is a laudable one, the absence of a sanctioning regime makes it quite ineffective,” he said.
The lecture, held under the theme “The Relevance of the Chieftaincy Institution in Contemporary Times,” explored the evolving role of traditional leadership in Ghana.
Justice Dotse observed that in the lead-up to the December 7, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections, some chiefs have openly expressed support for candidates from the country’s two leading political parties. He urged chiefs, particularly in the Volta Region, to avoid openly showing support for political parties or candidates during election cycles.
“I was very humbled when I heard the President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, speak during a courtesy call by one of the leading presidential candidates. The way he welcomed the aspirant was such that no one could detect his political leanings. That is the way all our chiefs ought to behave and conduct themselves during election cycles,” Justice Dotse shared.
He further noted that chiefs’ choices and public statements can significantly impact their communities. He urged traditional leaders to remain neutral, positioning themselves as agents of unity, economic growth, and development, regardless of which political party assumes power.
“The choices they make are likely to affect their constituents one way or the other. It may therefore serve them well to be as neutral as possible, so that they can be positive agents of economic growth and development in their areas of jurisdiction, irrespective of who is in power,” Justice Dotse stated.
The annual lecture, held in Ho in the Volta Region, brought together traditional leaders, policymakers, and scholars to reflect on the importance of the chieftaincy institution in Ghana’s modern governance framework.
The event honours the legacy of Togbega Noagbesenu III, a revered leader known for his dedication and commitment to chieftaincy reforms in the country, particularly in the Volta Region, and for promoting growth in the Awate Traditional Area.
