Any Chief who does “Partisan endorsement is not wise” – Kweku Baako

Speaking on PeaceFM‘s Kokrokoo Morning Show Wednesday, Kweku Baako lambasted the country’s traditional leaders stressing that they contravene Ghana’s constitution when they pledge their unflinching support for a Presidential candidate.

Article 276 of the 1992 Constitution states that a chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.

With this provision in place, Kweku Baako believes it is entirely wrong for any chief regardless of their political preferences to endorse a president.

President John Dramani Mahama is on his “Accounting to the People” tour to parts of the country and has received tonnes of praises and promises by traditional rulers in areas he has visited so far.

Quite recently, the Paramount Chief of Sunyani, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, promised that the Brong Ahafo Region will vote massively for the ruling party in next year’s polls.

Unlike the Eastern region where the NDC is aiming to set an agenda 50-50 to increase their votes, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri promised the NDC the Brong Ahafo Region would make it 80% in their favour.

Nana Bosoma Asor told President Mahama at a public gathering that “the 80% is a promise. Other regions can promise 50% but we are going to give you 80%”.

A few days back, the acting Kwahumanhene, Nana Asiedu Agyemang III also openly endorsed the ruling party

According to the Nana Agyemang III, the president deserves to be given another four year term due to the good work he has done for the people of Kwahuman.

But clearly appalled by the action of some traditional ruler who in recent times have made certain declarations canvassing for votes for President John Dramani Mahama the Senior Journalist strongly pointed out that once the chief has not abdicated his stool, “the chief has no business doing that.”

According to him, “these Chiefs who go out there and cannot just commend the President or government for the projects they have put in place which are benefiting their people but proceed beyond that to say we endorse you…I mean it’s so irritating.”

He cautioned them to stop being sycophantic and bootlicking President Mahama and his government, stating emphatically that “the element of sycophancy that we as a nation are trying even to do away, now we have our traditional rulers (some of them, of course) themselves glowing the horn on it. They are leading this subculture of sycophancy in our body politick. And they’re proud? In their private moments, they feel good…amazing! It makes you sad.”

Touching on Nana Asiedu Agyemang III’s endorsement of President John Dramani Mahama for a second term, Mr. Baako told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that “it is not even in the Chief’s own inherent interest because you know that some of your subjects are on this side with others on that side. Any wise Chief does not talk like that. Any Chief who has gone out there to do categorical political partisan endorsement is not a wise Chief.”