The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin, is advocating for the inclusion of traditional leaders, including chiefs and queen mothers, at the national governance level as members of Parliament.
He emphasized the importance of earmarking specific areas in the ongoing review of the 1992 Constitution to allow these traditional leaders to qualify for parliamentary roles.
Bagbin pointed to countries like Botswana and Rwanda where traditional leaders contribute to the functioning of the parliament, bringing a sense of discipline and cultural richness.
Addressing the Queen Mothers Association of Ghana at his office in Parliament on December 8, 2023, the Speaker expressed the view that governance shouldn’t be solely entrusted to politicians and political parties.
He emphasized the need for a broader perspective, where traditional leaders play a role in policy formulation, contributing to a more inclusive and representative decision-making process.
Bagbin acknowledged the historical role of traditional leaders in Ghana, noting that the country lost its direction after gaining independence by relying solely on politicians. He highlighted that even during the pre-independence era, the colonial rulers recognized traditional leaders as the true leaders, governing indirectly through them rather than politicians.
Nana Otubea ll, the President of the Queen Mothers Association and Queen Mother of the Nkonya Traditional Area, expressed concern about the exclusion of queen mothers from decision-making processes at regional and national houses of chiefs.
She deemed this exclusion discriminatory, relegating them to second-class citizenship. The association is seeking clarification and interpretation of the term “chief” in the constitution, as the current wording appears biased in favor of their male counterparts, allowing only them to be recognized as “chiefs.”
