In a definitive statement on traditional governance, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has clarified that the National House of Chiefs (NHC) lacks the constitutional or traditional mandate to install chiefs.
Speaking at the Manhyia Palace today, Thursday, May 14, 2026, during a courtesy call by Parliament’s Select Committee on Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the King emphasized that the power to nominate, elect, and install chiefs resides solely with the respective Traditional Councils and kingmakers of the various stools.
Traditional Autonomy vs. Administrative Oversight
The Asantehene's remarks come amid rising tensions in several paramountcies across the country regarding the role of the NHC in adjudicating chieftaincy disputes.
Restoring Order: Otumfuo explained that the NHC was established as an administrative and consultative body to advise the government and manage the "National Register of Chiefs," not as a body that creates or validates traditional leadership through installation.
The Traditional Council Rule: "The authority to install a chief rests with the Traditional Councils and the kingmakers. The National House of Chiefs cannot and should not attempt to assume this role," the King stated firmly.
Adjudication Challenges: He noted that while the NHC has judicial committees to hear appeals, these should not be confused with the primary authority of traditional customary law.
A Call for Depoliticization
Addressing the Parliamentarians led by the Committee Chairman, the Asantehene expressed concern over the "creeping hands" of politics in traditional matters.
Neutrality is Key: He urged the Select Committee to ensure that the Chieftaincy Ministry and the government remain neutral observers rather than active participants in stool disputes.
Addressing the Backlog: He called for stronger measures and legislative support to help traditional councils resolve the hundreds of pending chieftaincy cases that often lead to communal violence and the stagnation of local development.
Modernizing Tradition: Otumfuo suggested that the Chieftaincy Act should be reviewed to give more teeth to the traditional councils while ensuring that the NHC remains a purely advisory and record-keeping institution.
Context: The 2026 "Traditional Reset"
The Asantehene’s intervention is timely as several regions, including the Ga Traditional Area and parts of the Bono Region, are currently grappling with multiple claims to paramount stools.
Parliament's Role: The Select Committee is currently on a nationwide tour to gather input for the proposed 2026 Chieftaincy Reform Bill, which aims to clarify the jurisdictional boundaries between the state and traditional authorities.
Manhyia as a Model: The King’s comments reinforce the "Manhyia Model" of governance, where a clear hierarchy and strict adherence to customary law have kept the Ashanti Kingdom relatively free of the protracted legal battles seen elsewhere.
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