SC@150: Regional Houses of Chiefs Are Only “Conveyor Belts” in Chief Registration – Otumfuo
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has affirmed that Regional Houses of Chiefs have no discretion in the registration of chiefs.
They only act as conduits to transmit documents to the National House of Chiefs.
Delivering a statement at the second lecture of the Judiciary’s series marking the 150th Anniversary of the Supreme Court on July 16, 2026, Otumfuo said the law makes it a mandatory duty for Regional Houses to forward CD Forms to the National House once their accuracy is confirmed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, upon receipt of the CD forms by the Regional House of Chiefs, it has a mandatory duty under the law to transmit the forms to the National House of Chiefs,” he stated.
The King noted that this has been repeatedly affirmed by the courts, which have held that the Regional House’s role is purely administrative.
The Law
Under the Chieftaincy Act, the National House of Chiefs is the body charged with keeping the National Register of Chiefs.
Explaining the process, Otumfuo said when there is an installation, abdication, death, or change in membership of a Traditional Council, the Council must report to the Regional House of Chiefs.
The Regional House is then under a mandatory duty to report same to the National House for the necessary changes and recordings to be made.
“The courts have stated time and time again that the duty of the Regional House to transfer the CD forms to the National House upon receipt of same and confirmation of its accuracy is a mandatory statutory obligation which cannot be flouted,” he said.
No Discretion
The Asantehene emphasised that no discretion arises for Regional Houses unless there is a demonstrable legal impediment, which the courts have limited to death, abdication, and deposition.
“Consequently, the inevitable conclusion to be drawn from the above is that, when it comes to the registration process, the CD forms pass through the Regional House of Chiefs which acts as a conveyor belt or a conduit for the transmission of the said forms to the National House for registration and nothing more,” Otumfuo said.
His Majesty added that the confusion around the role of the various Houses, particularly the Regional Houses, has in recent times sparked agitations and controversies.
Clarifying the law, the Asantehene said, is critical to avoiding disputes over chieftaincy registration in Ghana.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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