National Queen Mothers’ Platform reacts to Asantehene's rejection of inclusion of Queenmothers in House of Chiefs
The National Queen Mothers Platform (QMP)-Ghana has reacted to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's statement on how it is not possible to include queen mothers in the House of Chiefs, especially in Asanteman.
In a press statement, the National Queen Mothers’ Platform (QMP)-Ghana expressed regret over the rejection by the Asantehene.
They described the Asantehene’s pronouncement as deeply concerning and very unfortunate.
Speaking during the end-of-year meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, kicked against the proposal to include queenmothers as members of the regional and national houses of chiefs.
While recognising the critical role of queen mothers in the selection of chiefs and offering of advice to them, he said, “per our customs and traditions, queenmothers play their role privately and not publicly”.
“Asanteman’s customs and traditions are that queenmothers have the authority to select chiefs and counsel them privately while the chiefs deliberate and speak publicly on everyone’s behalf,” he stressed.
The QMP-Ghana reacting stated that the state of Ghana has not only come a very long way but also bigger than anyone or group of persons.
The QMP-Ghana's press statement was signed by its president, Nana Amponsah Dokua III, who is also the Queenmother of the Osudoku Traditional Area in the Greater Accra Region.
The QMP noted that the Asantehene’s stance does not support the entire Ghanaian culture, which has transformed itself and also gone through series of modifications over the years to reflect modern societal needs and aspirations.
The QMP-Ghana noted that even though the Asantehene’s pronouncements may have some basis, such a stance cannot be fully rooted in the country’s customs, traditions and beliefs, explaining that the position of the Asante King, contradicts the Affirmative Gender Equity Bill passed by Parliament.
The QMP-Ghana is of the view that the matter could be easily and amicably resolved through an extensive dialogue and stakeholder engagement in order to protect the entire sanctity of the chieftaincy institution instead of what the Platform described as ‘the current verbal exchanges’ flying between the Asantehene and the Queen Mothers who equally have a role to play in the country’s traditional space and set-up in spite of the country’s cultural and jurisdictional differences.
The Executives of the QMP-Ghana appealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to come clearer on his stance, saying such a position is not healthy enough for the unity and strength of the chieftaincy institution in Ghana in its forward march for national cohesion, peace, progress and development.
The QMP-Ghana further stated that establishing a Chamber of Queen Mothers would bring all Queen Mothers under one umbrella, thereby reducing the numerous associations of Queen Mothers dotted across the country. This, the Platform believes and concludes would foster unity and growth, enabling Queen Mothers not only to fully participate in national events but also advocate more effectively for the welfare of women and children across the length and breadth of the country.
