The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has stood by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s practice of asking traditional chiefs to stand before greeting them.
The Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, clarified that this custom aligns with Ghanaian cultural norms, emphasizing respect for authority as integral to unity and mutual respect within communities.
According to Boateng, the tradition of standing to greet elders and authorities is deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture, serving as a gesture of deference and reverence.
He stressed that the president’s request is not intended to diminish chiefs’ dignity or independence but rather to reaffirm cultural values and hierarchy.
“The tradition of showing respect for authority, deeply embedded in Ghanaian culture, is crucial for fostering unity, order, and mutual respect within communities. Standing when greeting elders, leaders, or persons of authority is a customary gesture of deference and reverence.
“This request for Chiefs to observe this tradition, especially at public events, stems from our commitment to upholding and preserving Ghanaian cultural values, including the principles of respect and hierarchy. It is important to note that the President’s position on this tradition is intended as a reaffirmation of cultural norms that underpin Ghanaian society,” the minister wrote.
He added, “The call for chiefs to stand when greeting the president at public events is not meant to diminish the dignity or independence of traditional leaders. Instead, it acknowledges their respected role in Ghanaian society by showing brotherly love and mutual respect”.
Boateng cited the 1992 Constitution, which grants the president precedence at public events, as supporting Akufo-Addo’s actions.
“It is important to remember that the Constitution, specifically article 57 (2), states that ‘the President shall take precedence over all other persons in Ghana.’ The President, as the Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana, is the nation’s primary representative both at home and abroad,” he noted.
He also highlighted that the president respects chiefs’ sacred spaces and has never asked them to stand in their palaces.
The controversy arose after a video surfaced showing Akufo-Addo requesting chiefs to rise before greeting them at a funeral event.
Despite criticism from some quarters, including former President John Dramani Mahama, the ministry maintains that the president’s actions are rooted in cultural traditions and a commitment to upholding Ghanaian values.