President Mahama Calls for Stronger Partnership with Traditional Rulers in Governance
President John Dramani Mahama has called for a stronger partnership between government and traditional rulers, stating that the country cannot be governed by the executive alone.
The President said traditional authorities remain an important part of the country’s decentralised governance structure and must be brought closer to the centre of decision-making.
He gave the assurance that government will continue to work with chiefs and traditional rulers in the implementation of national programmes and the delivery of development to communities.
President Mahama made the call on Tuesday when the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House in Accra.
“I would like to thank our traditional rulers for the partnership that government enjoys with you,” the President said., emphasising that “We cannot govern this country alone; we need our traditional rulers to join us in governing the country.”
He explained that traditional rulers form an important part of the decentralised structure, adding that the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee has been set up to examine constitutional amendments, including proposals that seek to increase the role of traditional rulers in the local government system.
“It is my expectation that chiefs and traditional rulers will have a more active participation in our District Assemblies than they have had in the past,” he stated.
The President also urged the chiefs to take a greater interest in the development of their districts, particularly in the utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
He noted that government has directed that 80 per cent of the Fund should go directly to the districts, and that the Minister now releases the funds promptly every quarter.
“I want to ask our chiefs to take a greater interest in the development of your districts. I believe our chiefs should work closely with the District Chief Executives to ensure those resources are properly utilised for development,” he said.
The courtesy call also touched on the development of the Ahafo Region. President Mahama said government is fast-tracking the development of the six newly created regions, with deliberate emphasis on projects that will help them catch up with the older regions.
He cited the Big Push infrastructure programme, the planned regional hospital for Ahafo, the promise of a tertiary institution, and agricultural programmes in oil palm and poultry as some of the interventions earmarked for the region.
The President thanked the chiefs for the support they gave him during the 2024 elections, recalling that the party won five of the six parliamentary seats in the Ahafo Region.
“I should rather be thanking you for the support you gave me in 2024. I remember during the campaign I came to almost all your palaces, and you received me very warmly,” he said. “I can assure you that in sharing the national cake, Ahafo will get its fair share.”
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
