Who becomes President of National House of Chiefs?
The National House of Chiefs (NHC) will hold polls today to elect a new President for the house to replace the Wulugu Naba Pugansoa, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, who has ended his term of office.
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Already, four paramount chiefs have filed their nominations to take over from Naa Prof. Nabila, while three other chiefs have also filed their nominations to contest the vice-presidency of the house.
Sources at the Secretariat of the NHC confirmed to the Daily Graphic that in all seven chiefs had picked forms to contest the two vacant positions at the house.
Today’s elections in Kumasi coincide with the one-week observance of the passing of the Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, who passed away last Monday at the age of 111.
Candidates
Two candidates from the Western Region and one each from the Volta and the Eastern regions have filed their nominations for the position of the president of the house.
They are the current Vice-President of the house, Awulae Attibrukusu III, the Omanhen of the Lower Axim Traditional Area; Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the Omanhen of the Essikado Traditional Area; Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region, and Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene from the Eastern Region.
Vice-President
For the position of the vice-president, as of press time yesterday, two chiefs from the Central Region and one from the Upper West Region had filed their nominations.
They are Dasebre Kwebu Awusi VII, the Abeadzehen; Okatakyi (Dr) Amenfi VII, the Asebuhen, both from the Central Region, and the Lawra Naa, Naa Puowele Karbo III, from the Upper West Region.
Preparation
The Public Relations Officer of the NHC, Mr Steve Owusu, told the Daily Graphic that notwithstanding the one-week rites of the Asantehemaa, the house was set for the elections.
He said the house did not foresee the one-week observance having any effect on the elections.
Reports reaching the Daily Graphic say the candidates have stepped up their campaigns to secure the positions, with some insiders indicating that the race is between Togbe Afede and Nana Nketsia.
However, others say Awulae Attibrukusu has the chance of assuming the high office of President of the NHC, having worked at the secretariat for four years. Meanwhile, others tip the Okyenhene to carry the day, judging by his high influence on the chieftaincy landscape.