Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region, has been elected as the new president of the National House of Chiefs.
He polled 25 votes while his competitors, Awulae Attibrukusu of Lower Axim in the Western Region, had 11, Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin got 10 votes, and Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area, managed 4 votes.
Togbe Afede XIV will succeed the Wulugu Naba Pugansoa, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, who has ended his term of office recently.
For the vice–presidential election, Daasebre Kwaku Ewusi VII of Aboadze won with 28 votes, Lawra Naa Puowele Karbo polled 13 votes, and Okatakyie Dr Amenfi VII of Asebu managed 8.
A total of 49 voted were cast out of 50 eligible voters.
Background:
The election to find a replacement for Naa Professor John Nabila, President of the National House of Chiefs would saw four renowned chiefs gunning for the position.
The Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, King of the Akyem Abuakwa State in the Eastern Region would be battling out with the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region, Togbe Afede XIV.
The others included Vice President of the House, Awulae Attibrukusu III the Omanhene of the Lower Axim Traditional Area and Nana Kobina Nketia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area.
Three other chiefs filed their nominations to contest for the Vice President position of the House.
The election which took place early today, Thursday 24, November coincided with the one-week celebration of the passing of the late Asantehemaa, Afia Kobi Ampem-the Queen Mother, 111, who served as the royal mother for all the royal families in the Asante Kingdom for 39 years.
Naa Professor John Nabila served his term as leader of the House from 2008. He succeeded Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II, the Omanhene of the Sefwi-Bekwai Traditional Area.
He contested Daasebre Professor Oti Boateng, Paramount Chief of the New Juabeng Traditional Area in an election conducted in 2008 which saw him winning 34 out of the total 47 votes.
The eight years of Naa Professor John Nabila saw him overseeing issues relating to chieftaincy lands and ethnic disputes in the country.
However, his critics have accused him of delaying in addressing the installation of new chiefs after stools or skins have become vacant.
National House of Chiefs:
The Headquarters of the National House of Chiefs is in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. (The House, may, by a resolution, decide to place the headquarters at any other place).
Membership:
The membership of the National House of Chiefs is composed of five (5) Paramount Chiefs (traditional rulers) from each Region of Ghana (10 in all) elected by the House of Chiefs of each Region.The National House of Chiefs elects a President (and Vice President) from among their number. The President is the Head of the House. He (with his Vice) are elected for a four-year term of office.The Vice President acts as the Head of the House in the absence of the President.
Source-Newsghana.com.gh
