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Togbe Afede XIV is the President of the National House of Chiefs[/caption] Government is set to meet the National House of Chiefs to resolve issues that have to do with which way to go regarding the December 17 referendum. The House is divided over which vote to back – YES or NO. After leadership announced that the House will vote ‘No’, some members came out to register their protest, saying the decision was unilateral.
Eastern Regional House of Chiefs President Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, for instance, says the heads of the regional houses were not consulted before the decision was made public. Western Regional House of Chiefs President Ogyeahohoo Nana Yaw Gyebi II was also critical of the President of the National House of Chiefs for taking a decision that none of them was aware of. Togbe Afede XIV together with Vice President of the National House of Chiefs Daasebre Nana Kweku Ewusi VII issued a statement on Friday, November 15, saying the country’s traditional rulers backed a ‘No’ vote. “The House, based on the recommendation of its Legal Committee, strongly objects to the proposal that membership of local assemblies should exclusively comprise representatives of political parties, as in the case of Parliament,” the statement said. “We are therefore advocating for the outright rejection of the proposal to amend Article 55(3) of the Constitution…” The Okyenhene later gave reasons why candidates for the district level elections should be allowed to campaign on party lines. “Most MMDCEs are rejected partisan politicians at the polls (defeated parliamentary candidates) who later by intrigues and back door tactics of central government impose themselves on the people,” he stated. But his move has been said to be undermining of the authority of the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State. Government wants the stand-off to end as the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Kofi Dzamesi, announced to journalists on Wednesday that they will join the National Meeting on Wednesday, December 12. The Meeting will take place in the Ashanti Region. Source: 3news.com|Ghana]]>