By Edward Acquah
Accra, May 28, GNA – Mr Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, a former Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has backed calls for Queen Mothers to be formally represented on the National House of Chiefs.
A statement from Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Ghana shared with the Ghana News Agency, said Mr Tuah-Yeboah made the call during the seventh Annual Queen Mothers’ Workshop organised in Sunyani by the foundation’s Ghana Office.
The workshop was held on the theme: “Contemporary Role of Traditional Authorities in Ghana.”
Mr Tuah-Yeboah said it was time for Queen Mothers to challenge in court their exclusion from the National House of Chiefs.
“The Constitution recognises that when we speak of a ‘chief,’ the Queen Mother is also included in that definition,” he stated.
“If I am given the opportunity to amend the Chieftaincy Act, I would ensure Queen Mothers gain representation in both the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs to strengthen development and conflict resolution,” he added.
Mr Tuah-Yeboah noted that Queen Mothers were often consulted only after other avenues had failed.
“However, I believe they should be involved from the beginning to the end of every process to fully exercise their judgment. It is high time the Queen Mothers unite and challenge this in court,” he said.
The statement said Ms Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall, Country Representative of KAS Ghana, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to promoting democratic participation and civic education through collaboration with traditional authorities.
“Over the decades, KAS has organised workshops, conferences and dialogue forums with Traditional Authorities throughout Ghana on a wide range of issues,” she said.
She explained that the engagements had focused on the role of traditional authorities within Ghana’s modern political system, constitutional responsibilities, conflict prevention and resolution, social cohesion, and prevention of election-related violence.
Ms Sabroso-Wasserfall said the foundation had recently concluded a nearly two-year workshop series aimed at combating misinformation and disinformation.
“That challenge increasingly threatens trust, unity and democratic discourse within our societies,” she stated.
The statement said Nana Yaa Ansua III, Secretary of the National Queen Mothers Association and President of the Bono Queen Mothers Platform, expressed concern about the lack of recognition and support for Queen Mothers.
“Queen Mothers are often denied stipends from the sale of stool properties, weakening us financially,” she said.
“Some lawyers undermine our arbitration powers by advising clients not to respond to summons from the palace, leading to disrespect toward Queen Mothers,” she added.
The statement noted that the KAS Ghana Office would this year celebrate its 60th anniversary in Ghana.
It said the foundation officially opened its office in Ghana in 1966, making the country one of its oldest partner countries on the African continent.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: Edward Acquah