National House of Chiefs seeks placement under Jubilee House

The National House of Chiefs has proposed that it be placed directly under the Presidency at Jubilee House, arguing that its current placement under a government ministry weakens its constitutional independence and operational efficiency.

The proposal was presented when the leadership of the House appeared before Parliament’s Select Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture and Religious Affairs.

Speaking at the meeting, the President of the National House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, said the institution has been moved between various ministries since the PNDC era and currently falls under the Ministry of Local Government, a situation he believes compromises its autonomy.

According to him, operating under a ministry makes the House vulnerable to changing political and policy directions depending on the government in power.

To address the issue, the House is proposing an interim arrangement that would place it directly under the Presidency at Jubilee House, with a dedicated budget allocation similar to independent constitutional bodies such as the Electoral Commission.

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II stated that such a move would strengthen the institution’s independence and allow it to perform its constitutional responsibilities without political interference.

“Why should we be working under a ministry in the first place? Currently, we are under the Ministry of Local Government. So you realise that, depending on the policy direction or the thinking of the government in power, we are often moved around,” he said.

He added that the House is dissatisfied with the current arrangement and believes direct oversight under the Presidency would better reflect its status as an independent body until full constitutional and budgetary independence is achieved.