The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged to amend Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act to grant chiefs more authority in addressing critical issues facing the nation.
According to him, excluding chiefs from governance has been a significant oversight. Speaking to the chiefs and people of Ledzokuku in the Greater Accra Region on Thursday, September 12, 2024, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that many matters currently taken to court could be resolved at palaces if chiefs were empowered.
He expressed his commitment to facilitating this change. He also highlighted the ongoing chieftaincy disputes and stressed the need to codify the lines of succession in collaboration with the House of Chiefs and the Judicial Council.
Dr. Bawumia proposed digitizing the process to ensure clarity on succession and prevent future disputes. Additionally, he reiterated his commitment to providing living allowances for paramount chiefs, divisional chiefs, and queen mothers.