Mandate of the House
The National House of Chiefs is established by Article 274 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 1 (1) of the Chieftaincy Act 2008, Act 759. The House derives its Mandate from Article 271 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 1 of the Chieftaincy Act 2008 Act 759.
The National House of Chiefs exists to exercise appellate jurisdiction in any cause on matter affecting chieftaincy which has been determined by the Regional House of Chiefs in a region. The House under Article 273 (5) of the 1992 Constitution also exercises original jurisdiction in certain causes or matters affecting chieftaincy.
Aside the above functions, the National House of Chiefs, under Article 272 of the 1992 Constitution performs the following functions:
- Advise any person or authority charged with any responsibility under this Constitution or any other law for any matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy;
- Undertake the progressive study, interpretation and codification of customary law with a view to evolving, in appropriate cases, a unified system of rules of customary law, and compiling the customary laws and lines of succession applicable to each stool or skin;
- Undertake an evaluation of traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that are outmoded and socially harmful;
- Perform such other functions, not being inconsistent with any function assigned to the House of Chiefs of a region, as Parliament may refer to it.
Profile of the President
OGYEAHOHO YAW GYEBI II is the president of the National House of Chiefs. He is known as Francis Kwame Agyei in his private life and he is the Anwiasohene of Sefwi Anwiaso in the Western North Region of Ghana.
He came to the National House of Chiefs with a great skill in conflict resolution to deal adequately with the many chieftaincy issues scattered across the nation.
He has an Executive Masters degree in ADR, a Bachelor degree in Commerce and is a Specialist in Geography from the Winneba Special College.
His extensive knowledge earned him a top position in many institutions like Takoradi University College, Sefwiman Rural Bank just to name a few.
Profile of the Vice President
The Naa PUOWELE KARBO III also known as Edward Puowele Karbo is the chief of the Lawra Traditional Area in the Upper West Region.
He was enstooled on the 23rd of June 2007 and he is the current vice president of the National House of Chiefs.
He holds a post graduate certificate in Transport Planning Management and Highway Engineering from the University of New South Wales in Sydney-Australia among several other certifications. He was a former director of Town and Country Department due to his expertise in Planning.
He brings to the National House a vast knowledge to improve the chieftaincy institution.
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
(MCRA) is established by Executive Instrument 2017.
The Ministry forms part of the Civil Service of Ghana
established by PNDCL 327, 1993 with specific functions
and roles as provided by law. The Ministry’s objective
in line with legal provisions, its mission and vision
is to have oversight responsibility for the Chieftaincy
and Religious sector for peaceful co-existence,
integration, tolerance and national development.