The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated his pledge to facilitate the amendment of Section 63 (D) of the Chieftaincy Act to restore more adjudicatory powers to traditional authorities to enhance the justice delivery system.
He observed that the traditional authorities play an important role in national development, but their ability to contribute even more has been restricted by the 1992 Constitution.
During his constituency-focused tour of the Yapei Kusawgu and Salaga South constituencies of the Savannah Region on Wednesday, July 17 he reaffirmed his commitment that “when elected President, to facilitate the amendment of Section 63 (D) of the Chieftaincy Act to restore more adjudicatory powers to traditional authorities to enhance the justice delivery system. Indeed, it is Possible!”
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had earlier said if voted for in this year’s election, his government would resource traditional leaders financially to enable them to support the government in developing the country.
He noted that if 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.
“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.
