The Executive Director of Women’s and Orphans Movement (WOM), Fati Abigail Abdulai, has called on Ghana’s National House of Chiefs to take action to eliminate outmoded and socially harmful customs in the country. Speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show with Gerard Awombadek Asagi, Abdulia emphasised the need for the National House of Chiefs to fulfil its duty as outlined in Article 271 of the Ghanaian Constitution.
“One key thing that we need to do is actually work with the National House of Chiefs to do what Article 271 has asked them to do,” Madam Abdulai said. “They are asked to evaluate customs with a view to eliminating outmoded and socially harmful ones.”
Fati Abdulai then posed a critical question: “Let’s ask ourselves, when was the last time our National House of Chiefs came out to say that they had reviewed that henceforth these things should no longer be done?”
In Abdulai’s view, traditional leaders in Ghana have an important role to play in eliminating harmful customs and promoting positive change in their communities. However, she also believes that these leaders must be held accountable for their actions.
“So, we need to hold them accountable,” Abdulai said. “Our traditional leaders should not join us to lament. They have been given power, and it’s important they recognise this power and use it.”
The Executive Director stressed that, as civil societies, they are available to offer support to traditional leaders who would require their assistance. She further reiterated the need for civil society organisations and researchers to provide support to traditional leaders in fulfilling their mandate for community development and the welfare of their people.
“We as civil society organisations and researchers, are always there to provide them with the all needed support that will ensure that they are able to perform this role,”
She said, “But then, it is their [traditional leaders’] mandate first and foremost for the development of their community and for the welfare of their people, for the health of their people.”
As Ghana continues to strive towards social progress and development, the need for traditional leaders to play an active role in promoting positive change cannot be overstated. With support from civil society organisations and researchers, these leaders can take concrete steps to eliminate harmful customs and improve the welfare of their people.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Gerard Awombadek Asagi|Ghana
