It will be recalled that while addressing the final 2025 meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs in Kumasi on Friday, 19th December, 2025, the Asantehene shot down the proposal, saying it has no roots in cultural precedence and customs. Asantehene’s stance follows a proposal being pushed by the National House of Chiefs led by its President and Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area in the Western North Region, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, including proposed amendments to the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) which seeks to establish a ‘Chamber of Queen Mothers’ and subsequently grant them seats alongside chiefs in formal sittings in order to promote gender equity.

Reacting to the comments made by Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, the QMP-Ghana noted that even though the Asantehene’s pronouncements may have some basis, such a stance cannot be fully rooted in the country’s customs, traditions and beliefs, explaining that the position of the Asante King, contradicts the Affirmative Gender Equity Bill passed by Parliament in July, 2024. 

The QMP-Ghana is of the view that the matter could be easily and amicably resolved through an extensive dialogue and stakeholder engagement in order to protect the entire sanctity of the chieftaincy institution instead of what the Platform described as ‘the current verbal exchanges’ flying between the Asantehene and the Queen Mothers who equally have a role to play in the country’s traditional space and set-up in spite of the country’s cultural and jurisdictional differences.

The Executives of the QMP-Ghana appealed to Otumfuor Osei Tutu II to come clearer on his stance, saying such a position is not healthy enough for the unity and strength of the chieftaincy institution in Ghana in its forward march for national cohesion, peace, progress and development.  

The QMP-Ghana further stated that establishing a Chamber of Queen Mothers would bring all Queen Mothers under one umbrella, thereby reducing the numerous associations of Queen Mothers dotted across the country. This, the Platform believes and concludes would foster unity and growth, enabling Queen Mothers not only to fully participate in national events but also advocate more effectively for the welfare of women and children across the length and breadth of the country. 

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Pictures: 

1. The Executives of QMP-Ghana 

2. Nana Amponsah Dokua III, President of QMP-Ghana and Paramount Queen Mother, Osudoku Traditional Area

<p>The post ‘Asantehene’s rejection of inclusion of Queen Mothers in Houses of Chiefs is misplaced in culture’ – National Queen Mothers’ Platform first appeared on Zilideon News.</p>

It brought together representatives of youth groups from Sogakope and Dabala as well as students from Sogakope Senior High School (SOGASCO), Comboni Technical and Vocational Institute (COMBOTECH), Sogakope Technical Institute (SOTECH), all at Sogakope and the Dabala Senior High Technical School (DASTECH) at Dabala. Also present were four (4) visually impaired students from the Adidome Senior High School (ADISEC) where inclusive education is fully in operation.

According to the Programme Manager of Gray Network, Mr. Godsway Mensah, the initiative formed part of efforts to strengthen inclusive governance in Ghana through youth and women leadership development and advocacy campaigns that would inform, build confidence and also empower the youth leaders for the future tasks ahead of them.

The Resource Persons, Mr. Godsway Mensah, Dr. Enyonam Mansah Gasu, Misses Favour Okorie, Philomena Elloh and Angela Ahadjie, all of the Gray Network as well as Mr. Seth Afiagorme, South Tongu District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), took the participants through the various topics including Stakeholder Engagenment and Policy, Youth Civic Engagement Platforms, Advocacy and Social Mobilization, Gender and Disability Inclusion, Effective Communication for Leadership as well as Civic Rights and Democratic Participation.

The Project Lead, Dr. Enyonam Mansah Gasu noted that even though the youth form the majority of the population in Ghana, they are not well represented when it comes to decision-making or issues that affect them, adding that the situation is even worse with issues with Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). This paradign, she emphasized must change, with a call on stakeholders and duty bearers to create the opportunity for the youth and PWDs including visually and hearing impaired persons to be involved in all the governance processes thereby promoting inclusive governance in their communities.

Dr. Gasu reminded Ghanaians that the role of PWDs in the development of the country cannot be over-emphasized. ‘We should not look down upon them; they are human beings like us with special ability skills that can also be used to advance the course of the development of the country’, the Project Lead intimated.

The South Tongu District Director of the NCCE, Mr. Seth Afiagorme urged the participants not only to remain committed to their dreams, vision and aspirations in life but also be patriotic to the overall development of their communities in particular and the country at large.

According to him, as leaders, they should be selfless, honest and committed to addressing issues that affect them, their peers and the society in general.

One of the facilitators of the training, Ms. Favour Okorie told our newsteam in an interview that the decision to involve the four (4) visually impaired students from Adidome SHS, was to create the opportunity for all the participants to appreciate the values, strengths and weaknesses of life and to see one another as partners in development.

The workshop formed part of a series of training programmes being organized by the Gray Network for stakeholders in its partner districts and municipalities including Ho, Hohoe and South Tongu.

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<p>The post Advocacy and Leadership Training Workshop for 35 Youth and PWDs Ends at Sogakope first appeared on Zilideon News.</p>

The state-of-the-art library occupies two (2) classrooms of a renovated three (3) unit-classroom block facility belonging to the Mafi Adidome E.P. Basic School.

The library has been stocked with several thousands of books on almost all subjects ranging from general and story books, humanities and education, to books on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. These educational resources are expected to tremendously advance the course of studies of the students and pupils at the basic and secondary school levels in the community and beyond. There are also books for adults and private people who can just walk in and read these materials.

The event was attended by a large number of dignitaries from far and near including the community, traditional, educational and political leaders of the district. Pupils from the host and sister schools as well as students from the Mafi Adidome Senior High School (ADISEC) including their School Choir were also present at the ceremony.

Inaugurating the facility, the Dufia of Mafi-Adidome and the brain behind the project, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V noted that the provision of the library facility is a fulfillment of a long-standing dream during his installation as a Chief to prioritize and improve educational standards in the Mafi Adidome community and beyond. According to him, the facility which stands as a testament to a true gift to students, the school children and the teachers alike, would serve as a hub for learning, digital exploration and a place for effective knowledge acquisition.

Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V said the donation of the library symbolizes that education is the surest way to empowerment and called on the youth not only to make good use of the facility but also see it as an educational beacon of hope. ‘The library should become a place to cultivate ideas and the truth’, the Dufia of Mafi Adidome emphasized.

The Chief was grateful to the EPC for donating the building for the project, the GLA for accepting the challenge and supporting the initiative, the CH Group Foundation for the books donation, family members and scores of volunteers whose sacrifices, time and resources have all culminated in the successful execution of the project.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Hon. Addison Dodzi Mornyuie commended the Dufia of Mafi Adidome and his team of supporters and donors for the laudable initiative which according to him, would positively impact on educational outcomes in the district. ‘Development does not hinge around central government or the District Assembly alone. Individuals also have their respective roles to play. For Central Tongu to develop, everybody must be on board’, the DCE emphasized.

Hon. Mornyuie charged the pupils and students to make maximum use of the facility not only during the weekdays but also weekends. He appealed to the teachers to assist the learners with an effective time-table that would stand the test of time and inure to their benefit.

The DCE used the opportunity to announce that beginning from next year, his outfit and the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Hon. Alexander Gabby Hottordze would jointly introduce a competitive examination for all pupils of basic schools across the district. The examination, he said would be conducted in English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science, aimed at helping to improve academic standards and performance at the basic and senior high school levels in the district. Prizes, the DCE added would be awarded to the best three (3) performing learners from each of the twelve (12) educational circuits of the district.

The Deputy Executive Director of the GLA, Mr. Israel Yao Dzantor was full of praise for the Chief of Mafi Adidome for the gesture. ‘If you have well-enlightened citizens in a community, this is what you see by way of results’, Mr. Dzantor remarked. He reminded the students that their future depends on the library, hoping that the provision of the facility would change the narrative of education and its outcomes in the district in the coming years.

Mr. Dzantor pledged the support of the GLA towards the effective use and resourcing of the library, adding that efforts would also be made to connect the library to what he described as the knowledge resources of the country.

The District Director of Education (DDE), Ms. Happy Tsifokor noted that the importance of the facility cannot be over-emphasized, adding that its provision is not only timely but also heartwarming for both the learners and the teachers.

The District Pastor of the EPC, Rev. Simon Addae was grateful to God for giving Mafi Adidome what he described as a visionary leader. He gave the assurance that the Church would continue to support the library and other initiatives that would promote its effective use.

The Operations and Research Lead of the CH Group Foundation, Mr. Benjamin Addo Kwakye said his Foundation is dedicated to advancing the development of underserved communities across the country. According to him, the provision of the library edifice is a shining example of what a visionary leader can achieve for his community and for the general societal development.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Adidome Community Library Lead, Mrs. Georgina Fiagbenu-Asare described the project as a dream come true. According to her, plans are also in the pipeline to equip the library with computers in order to make it a center for literacy enhancement.

A 13-year old final year pupil of the Mafi Adidome E.P. Basic School who delivered the vote of thanks at the event was showered with money and praises from the large gathering for the excellent performance of the assignment. Ms. Hozame was encouraged by all and sundry to learn hard in order to achieve her vision of achieving greater laurels in life.

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<p>The post Mafi Adidome Gets First Ultra-Modern Community Library first appeared on Zilideon News.</p>