Chieftaincy Bill passed through second reading

Page 16, Feb 27, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

THE Chieftaincy Bill, which was placed before Parliament on October 30, 2007 passed through its second stage of reading on Thursday.
The bill seeks to consolidate amendments in the Chieftaincy Act (Act 370),in order to bring it into conformity with the provisions on chieftaincy and to include new proposals in the Constitution.
According to a report on the bill submitted by the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, the Law Reform Commission initiated a nationwide consultative sessions with critical stakeholder institutions in its bid to bring the chieftaincy institution into conformity with provisions of the Constitution.
It said proposals submitted by the commission identified legislative gaps and highlighted areas of novelty, which necessitated the introduction of the bill.
One subject in the bill, which attracted comments from Members of Parliament (MPs) was Section 77, which empowers the Minister of Chieftaincy to, in the interest of public order and safety direct a person reasonably connected with a chieftaincy dispute to “reside outside or not to remain in the area where there is already, or likely to be danger to life, property and public order as a result of the chieftaincy dispute”.
A direction given by the minister “shall be reviewed monthly and unless reviewed, shall cease to be effective after three months”.
The Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Avenor-Ave, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho called for an amendment to that section in order not to give the minister too much power in times of chieftaincy disputes.
In his contribution, the MP for Buem, Mr Henry Ford Kamel called for an amendment to the provision in the bill which made the presidency of a divisional council a rotational one.
He said there was the need to make the senior chief in such divisional councils the president to maintain the dignity of the chieftaincy institution.
Mr Kamel also suggested regular courses be organised for chiefs to develop their capacities to enable them meet the challenges of the chieftaincy institutions.
In addition, the MP called for a proper remenuration for paramount, divisional and other lesser chiefs to enable them to effectively discharge their functions.