Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced his intention to provide living allowances to the Chieftaincy institution if he wins the 2024 presidential election. Addressing the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs during his campaign tour, Bawumia emphasized the necessity of financial support for chiefs and queen mothers to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

Dr. Bawumia emphasized the critical role that traditional leaders play in governance and community development. He argued that for these leaders to effectively fulfill their duties, they must be adequately resourced. “To enable the chieftaincy institution to fulfill its proper role, it must be financially resourced. You cannot assign responsibilities without providing the necessary resources,” he stated.

Currently, paramount chiefs receive a monthly allowance of GH₵1,000, which Dr. Bawumia described as insufficient even for basic expenses such as travel to meetings. Queen mothers and divisional chiefs receive no financial support at all. Dr. Bawumia’s proposal includes a structured allowance system that ensures all levels of traditional leadership are compensated for their contributions to society.

In addition to financial support, Dr. Bawumia outlined plans to amend the Chieftaincy Act to grant chiefs greater authority in maintaining discipline within their communities. He pointed out that the limited powers currently available to traditional leaders have contributed to a decline in societal discipline. Enhancing these powers would enable chiefs to handle disputes more effectively, potentially reducing the backlog of cases in the judicial system.

Moreover, Dr. Bawumia announced his intention to integrate traditional rulers into the mineral licensing process. By amending the Minerals Act, he aims to give chiefs a say in who receives mining licenses within their jurisdictions. This move is intended to curb illegal mining activities and provide more opportunities for small-scale mining enterprises.

Bawumia's commitments reflect his recognition of the critical role that the Chieftaincy institution plays in governance and community development. By providing financial resources and enhancing the authority of chiefs, he aims to strengthen their capacity to contribute to national progress and support government initiatives.