The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV has declined an invitation by governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to serve on its Economic Committee.

The Agbogbomefia confirmed this to Myjoyonline.com Wednesday morning.

He said accepting the offer will amount to a violation of the 1992 Constitution which clearly bars chiefs from engaging in active politics.

The NDC recently constituted five working committees and invited Togbe Afede to serve on the Economic Committee – an offer he has declined.

Article 276 (1) of the constitution states that “A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.”

The NDC had justified its decision to offer the chief a place in the committee.

National Organiser of the party, Kofi Adams was reported as saying, “I don’t think that there is any erring in tapping into the knowledge of persons because we don’t see it as taking a partisan position.”

Togbe Afede nonetheless says he cannot accept the position.

Graphiconline quotes him as saying, “I am currently in London and just read the news of my appointment onto the committee online. I am sorry I cannot accept the offer because the Constitution does not permit chiefs to engage in politics.

“I am willing to provide professional expertise to any government to serve the interest of Ghanaians but I cannot serve on any committee of any political party.”

Togbe Afede, co-founder of the Sunon-Asogli power plant served on several boards under the erstwhile John Kufuor administration.

The respected Volta chief appears keen on remaining non-aligned to any of the political parties.