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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for a review of the 1992 Constitution to give traditional rulers defined roles in the country’s governance.

He said such a review would help chiefs shape up the decision-making process and encourage inclusiveness in society.

The Asantehene made the call when he addressed a grand durbar of the chiefs and the people of Akyem Abuakwa at Kyebi yesterday to mark the 75th anniversary of the death of Nana Sir Ofori Atta I.

At the durbar were dignitaries, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his wife, Rebecca, former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu and a host of others.

It saw the tradition and culture of Asantes and Akyems on display.

The meeting of the Asantehene and the Okyenhene, both of whom acceded to their stools in 1999, dispelled the long-held perception of tension between the two traditional groupings.

Democracy

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the adjudication of cases and the management of traditional issues at the Manhyia Palace reflected, to a large extent, some of the important values of democracy.

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For instance, he said, traditional practices at Manhyia gave opportunity to people involved in cases to express themselves and call witnesses before decisions were taken on the issues.

The practice, the Asantehene said, was such that those who were even found guilty in traditional matters became satisfied with the decisions and the transparent process at the palace.

Collaboration

Going forward, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said, it was important for the two traditional leaders to work together and help find solutions to national issues, such as the one confronting the cocoa industry.

He advised the public to disabuse their minds of the long-held perception that Asantes and Akyems had scores to settle.