The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said if he is voted for in this year’s election, his government will resource traditional leaders financially to enable them to support the government in developing the country.
He noted that if the chiefs are not financially resourced they can’t do the work that is expected of them.
During a meeting with members of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, as part of his three-day tour of the region which started on Monday, June 10, Dr Bawumia said “I want to amend section 63 (D) of the Chieftaincy Act to empower the chiefs to help the government to govern this country.
“It will help all of us. We need to empower the chiefs to help the government and empowering the chiefs is not only to change the law.
Bawumia walks with supporters of NPP in Kumasi as he starts tour of Ashanti Region
“But to financially resource the chiefs. If we don’t financially resource the palaces of the chiefs, they can’t do the work we want them to do.
“So my manifesto team has looked at all of it. We are saying that we have to pay living allowances to the paramount chiefs and not stop there but to the divisional chiefs and the queen mothers so that we can have a complete chieftaincy institution that is empowered to help government,” he stated.
Dr Bawumia later wrote on his Facebook page that he was greatly inspired by the mammoth welcome he received from Asanteman as he began his three-day tour of the Region.
I welcome the concerns, encouragement and insightful suggestions – Bawumia after Day 1 of A/R tour
He said he had the honour of meeting with the Clergy, Imams and Zongo Chiefs, professional bodies, and the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs.
“It was indeed a privilege and an honour meeting with all these special groups, to share with them my vision for Ghana, and also to seek their blessings and prayers, as I seek to serve our country as President, by the grace of God.
He added “I welcome their concerns, encouragement, and insightful suggestions, aimed at enhancing my transformational vision and policies, for the benefit of our country and citizens. I am immensely grateful to Nananom and all the groups for their time and input,” he said.
