Sunyani: Mr. Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, a former Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has expressed support for the inclusion of Queen Mothers in the National House of Chiefs. This backing comes amid growing calls for formal representation of Queen Mothers in the chieftaincy institutions of Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Tuah-Yeboah articulated his stance during the seventh Annual Queen Mothers' Workshop organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana in Sunyani. The event focused on the theme 'Contemporary Role of Traditional Authorities in Ghana.' Mr. Tuah-Yeboah emphasized the constitutional recognition of Queen Mothers and urged them to seek judicial redress for their exclusion from the National House of Chiefs. He stated his intention to amend the Chieftaincy Act to ensure Queen Mothers' representation in both Regional and National Houses of Chiefs, enhancing development and conflict resolution efforts.
The statement from KAS Ghana highlighted the organization's dedication to fostering democratic participation and civic education through partnerships with traditional authorities. Ms. Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall, Country Representative of KAS Ghana, emphasized the foundation's long-standing engagements with traditional authorities across Ghana. These engagements aim to address the role of traditional authorities within the modern political landscape, as well as issues related to conflict prevention, social cohesion, and the prevention of election-related violence.
Nana Yaa Ansua III, Secretary of the National Queen Mothers Association and President of the Bono Queen Mothers Platform, raised concerns about the financial and operational marginalization of Queen Mothers. She pointed out the challenges faced by Queen Mothers, including the denial of stipends from stool property sales and the undermining of their arbitration powers by legal professionals.
The statement also noted that KAS Ghana is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary in Ghana, marking a significant milestone since its office was officially established in the country in 1966. Ghana remains one of KAS's oldest partner countries on the African continent.