On behalf of the Paramount Chiefs representing the 149 chiefdoms, the Chairman of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs (NCPC), Paramount Chief Charles Caulker yesterday presented a position paper to the Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), Justice Edmond Cowan.
The content of the 28 points position paper ranges from the ‘Position of Paramount Chiefs on the 1991 Constitution to ‘equitable financing and taxation’.
During the presentation of the paper at a meeting organized by West African Network for Peace building (WANEP), PC Caulker said, it “is a big moment for PCs in the country, because we have the opportunity to present our position on what we want to be included or removed from our constitution.”
He also noted their delight to partake in the constitutional review process and stressed on their meaningful contribution in the process.
Among their aspirations for the revised Constitution were the following:
The Constitution must be amended to distinguish between Paramount Chiefs and the Institution of Chieftaincy.
Paramount Chiefs no longer want to be in Parliament. They want a National House of Chiefs. Every PC should be a member of this House.
The House of Chiefs will monitor the implementation of projects in their chiefdoms.
They want the qualifications to contest PC Elections as specified in the Chieftaincy Act be retained.
The current election of PCs by Electoral College should be maintained. They are opposed to universal adult suffrage in Chieftaincy Elections.
The tenure of Paramount Chiefs must be for life. No term limit for PCs.
Gross misconduct as the basis for the removal from office of a PC must be clearly defined in the Constitution
And finally, any chief wishing to go into politics must resign his position as PC.
Receiving the document, Justice Cowan said the turnout shows how important the PCs took the process.
He pointed out that the work of CRC is to receive wider consultation so that the process would be all-inclusive. Justice Cowan further explained that the review constitution is the “peoples’ sovereign” which means the people have the final say.
Tuesday November 17, 2015
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