§1
THE UNION
1.1 The union holds the name Asanteman Union Ruhrgebiet.
1.2 The office of the union shall be in Oberhausen.
1.3 All general meetings shall be held in Duisburg, unless otherwise decided by the majority of the union members.
1.4 The accounts year of the union begins on the 1st January and ends on the 31st December each year.
1.5 The colours of the union are black, yellow and green.
1.6 The emblem of the union is black, yellow and green circle with a black porcupine, a traditional stool, a traditional long gun and a traditional sword in the middle.
1.7 The slogan of the union is Asante Kotoko, wokum apem a, apem beba.
§2
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
2.1 The main aim is to promote unity, and improve the social life among the subjects of Asanteman.
2.2 To support and assist the Asanteman Kingdom.
2.3 To help and support the members of the union in times of need, such as, birth by a union member or death of the parents or the representatives of parents, irrespective of the names given on D 2000 Form, of a member, wife or/and husband of a member who are not members of the union, as well as by the death of a child of a union member, with regard to Asanteman Union D2000 Form. When such an incident occurs each member is obliged to donate an amount of money so that the total sum reaches the amount needed for the member in question. The amount needed could also be taken out of the coffers of the union if necessary; this decision will however always, be decided by a simple majority.
2.4 Special donations could also be made at any other time apart from those listed above, however in this case the donation would be optional and not obligatory.
2.5 With reference to §2.3 one can only enjoy those privileges if one fulfils the conditions stated in the Asanteman Union Registration Act 2000.
2.6 In case a member passes away each member shall be obliged to contribute an amount of 100,00 DM as part of the donation to be given to the bereaved family here or in Ghana. The amount should always be 5.000,00 DM. Should we obtain more than the earmarked 5.000,00 DM the rest of the money would be transferred to the coffers of the union, on the other hand if the money collected does not sum up to 5.000,00 DM the rest would be taken out of the coffers of the union.
§3
MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Membership is open to any person who is an Asante by birth and/or origin.
3.2 Membership is also open to any person who comes from any town that falls within the traditional jurisdiction of the Asanteman Council in Ghana and is prepared to pay allegiance to the Golden Stool.
3.3 Membership is also open to any person who is married to a native of Asanteman and is prepared to transfer his/her allegiance to the Golden Stool. He or she is obliged to accept the fact that every assistance from the union will always be conveyed to the Asanteman.
3.4 Each member is obliged to fill a membership form and submit 2 passport photographs for a membership card.
3.5 Membership can be terminated by the Executive Board in consultation with the Abusuafoo if a member is found guilty of any conduct that is absolutely contrary to the constitution or any demeanour that can damage the welfare and integrity of the union.
3.6 Registration fee of 50 ,00 DM should be paid together with the first monthly dues of 10,00 DM before one can submit a fully filled form of Asanteman Registration Act 2000.
3.7 Any member can decide to quit the Union at his or her own convenience, however, money paid to the union is not refundable and no beneficial claims will be accepted.
3.8 A provisional membership can only be attained after attending our general meetings for four consecutive times, without any exception whatsoever, with a subsequent swearing in before the
Ohene.
§4
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
4.1 Once sworn in as a Provisional member, one is obliged to protect the constitution and has the
duty to pay his/her monthly dues.
4.2 Each member is obliged by the laws of the Union to attend every general meeting.
4.3 Failure to pay monthly dues and/or attend general meetings for three times will result in appearing before the Abusuafoo for interrogation and if found guilty might result in expulsion from the union.
4.4 It is the duty of a member who happens to be unable to attend meetings to seek permission from the organising secretary; violators will be subjected to an appropriate fine.
4.5 It is the duty of a member who wishes to organise any social activity where donation from the union would be needed to inform the members formally at a general meeting by presenting some drinks, at least six weeks prior to the function.
4.6 Any member who has previously received any gifts or donation from the union is bound by laws of the union to remain an active member and abide by the rules and regulations for at least 6 months before he/she can quit the union.
4.7 The Union has the prerogative of retrieving all donations from anyone who refuses to fulfil his or her constitutional obligation after receiving donation from the union and decides to quit before the six months time limit.
4.8 It is only a fully accepted member, with regard to Asanteman Union Registration Act 2000, who has the right to submit a completed Asanteman D 2000 Form.
4.9 Any member has the right to submit an application for a vote of no confidence against any officer who proves to be incompetent of his or her responsibilities passed on to him or her. This submission should however, be in a written form and could anonymously be sent to any other officer apart from the officer in question. The submission should not be sent to any officer serving on the same board or body as the officer in question.
4.10 It is only a fully-accepted member, with reference to the Asanteman Registration Act 2000, who has the right to contest for any office, provided he or she fulfils the various conditions listed in the constitution.
§5
GENERAL MEETINGS
5.1 General meetings are held once a month on Saturdays.
5.2 The executive board is empowered to call for emergency meetings when necessary.
5.3 General meetings shall always be opened with a prayer and ended by a motion which should always be seconded for it to be moved by the president. It is the president who declares the meeting closed.
5.4 At every general meeting the general secretary will read the minutes from the previous meeting before discussions begin.
5.5 All general meetings are presided over by the president.
5.6 Members present at a general meeting are empowered to pass new laws or amend the constitution if necessary; this should always be decided by a simple majority.
5.7 The executive members present at an executive meeting should always be at least four persons in order to have a mandate to pass by-laws or administrative laws that do not contradict the constitution .
5.8 It is basically forbidden for any group of members to make decisions whatsoever on behalf of the union without presenting the case to an emergency executive meeting.
5.9 Should the need for an emergency executive meeting arise, the first person to be contacted should always be the President. The rest of the executive members should then be contacted according to the list of the executive board. At least four members are then needed to form a quorum for an emergency meeting.
§6
ORGANS OF THE UNION
6.1 The Organs of the union are the Executive Board, the Abusuafoo, the Auditor and the entire
members of the union.
§7
THE AUDITOR
7.1 The Auditor is an independent person who is neither a member of the Executive Board nor
Abusuafoo.
7.2 The Auditor shall always serve a term of three years.
7.3 The Auditor shall always keep records on all the assets of the union but might not keep them.
7.4 The Auditor has the right to request any member, including the President, to provide a documentation to support purchases or expenditure and shall always have copies of all receipts needed to assist him in his bookkeeping.
7.5 The Auditor shall take record of the money taken in at every meeting and request information on money that is to be transferred into the accounts of the union at the bank .
7.6 The Auditor has the right to request the financial secretary and the treasurer to hand over their books to him for auditing at his or her own convenience.
§8
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
8.1 The executive board comprises the President, the Vice President, the General Secretary, the
Financial Secretary, The Treasurer and the Organising Secretary.
8.2 The President is the administrative head and also the chairperson of the union.
8.3 The President shall represent the union at various times and has the right to appoint any member at his convenience for assistance.
8.4 The President enjoys a veto power at discussions where decisions are not easily taken.
8.5 All executive offices will be held for three years.
8.6 The President has the power to call for an emergency meeting and is also the speaker at all meetings.
8.7 Should a tie occur during any voting at general meetings, the President has the prerogative of having the final word.
8.8 The Vice President shall assist/represent the President at all times.
8.9 The Vice President shall explain the Asanteman Registration Act 2000 to new members who
will join the union in vernacular at a general meeting.
8.10 The organising secretary has the prerogative of being the only one who can accept or reject excuses from members who are unable to attend general meetings.
8.11 The organising secretary shall organise and supervise all activities of the union.
8.12 The organising secretary shall keep the union's register and always make the necessary entries
of attendance.
8.13 The organising secretary shall collect the necessary fine from those who shall refuse to attend
meeting without seeking permission, as well as the fine from those who shall be late at general meetings.
8.14 The organising secretary may appoint any member to play the role of a Porter during general
meetings
8.15 All written correspondence to the union apart from a submission for a vote of no confidence,
shall be addressed to the General Secretary.
8.16 It shall be the duty of the general secretary to pass on all written correspondence to the various
addressees.
8.17 The general secretary shall put down minutes at all meetings and read them before any
subsequent meeting starts.
8.18 The financial secretary shall take care of all financial matters of the union.
8.19 The financial secretary shall keep record on all payments to the union as well as money spent by the union.
8.20 The financial secretary shall frequently present the names of those who will refuse to pay their dues for more than three months to the Abusuafoo.
8.21 It is the duty of the financial secretary to ensure that all payments made by the union are covered by receipts.
8.22 The financial secretary shall always prepare an annual financial report that shall be explained at a general meeting.
8.23 The Treasurer is responsible for collection of dues and all other payments from members to the union; these payments should always be covered by receipts.
8.24 Any officer who wishes to resign his or her office should always present a resignation letter 2 months prior to the intended date of resignation. The decision whether or not to accept the resignation shall be debated upon at a general meeting.
8.25 A member who is not an Asante by birth or origin may contest for any other executive office
apart from the President and the Vice President.
§9
THE BOARD OF ABUSUAFOO
9.1 The board of Abusuafoo consists of Ohene, Abusuapanyin, Kurontihene, Ohemmaa, Obaapanyin and Okyeame.
9.2 All constitutional and disciplinary matters should be brought before the board for deliberations and the outcome or reports are always to be handed over to the executive board for final decision.
9.3 The board has the power to ensure that our traditional heritage is preserved as stated in our manifesto.
9.4 The board has the authority to reject or oppose to the enrolment of a new member, for example if they have some doubts about his/her origin or his/her commitment to the Golden Stool. In such cases the new member will not be accepted until he/she has been able to convince the board of his/her unconditional commitment to the Asanteman Union and the kingdom as a whole.
9.5 All members of the board apart from Abusuapanyin and Obaapanyin will serve a term of two years.
9.6 The Ohene is the Chairman of the board.
9.7 The offices of the Abusuapanyin and Obaapanyin are indefinite but they could each be deposed through a vote of no confidence.
9.8 Should the offices of the Abusuapanyin or Obaapanyin be vacant at any time, only members who are 40 years and above would be eligible to contest.
9.9 All swearing in ceremonies shall be conducted by the Abusuapanyin and before the Ohene.
9.10 It is only the Ohene who has the prerogative of passing a motion to override a veto issued by the President. The motion can however, only be moved if collectively supported by 60 percent of the executive and members of the Abusuafoo. In such cases the President will be compelled to withdraw the veto.
9.11 The Ohene and Ohemmaa are the ceremonial heads of the union with the Okyeame being their spokesman.
9.12 The Okyeame is the spokesman of the entire union.
9.13 The Obaapanyin shall mobilize the women within the union and is also the head of the women in the union.
9.14 All cases involving the women in the union shall first be discussed with the obaapanyin before bringing it to the whole Abusuafoo.
9.15 The Kurontihene is the one who shall guide the Ohene and makes sure the Ohene does not deviate from his constitutional rights and duties.
9.16 The Kurontihene shall assist and/or represent the Ohene in everything he does.
9.17 It is only members who are Asantes by birth and/or origin, who can contest for positions on the board of Abusuafoo.
§10
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
10.1 Every member has the right to cast his or her vote at every election.
10.2 At every meeting where decisions are not easily taken, the last resort should always be by voting on that particular matter; however, it is the President who decides whether to vote on the matter or not.
10.3 Elections will always be held on a Saturday in January during a general meeting.
10.4 Any member who would like to contest for any executive office apart from that of the President and the Vice should have been an active member, after been sworn in, for at least eight months.
10.5 Every election shall be decided by a simple majority unless otherwise stated.
10.6 Only an outgoing officer who intends to maintain his or her office, can contest for that office , even if he or she is unable to be present on the day of election. However, a tangible reason should be given to the Abusuapanyin for his or her absence.
10.7 All elections shall be presided over by the Abusuapanyin.
10.8 A vote of no confidence motion will always first be discussed by the appropriate body (depending on which body the said officer is serving) and if found substantiated enough, depending on the presentation of facts, be brought before the house for voting. The board may, at their own convenience, invite the said officer to appear before it in order to assist them in their decision making.
10.9 Should a board find a submission for a vote of no confidence to be baseless, it has the power to dismiss the application, but they should at a general meeting inform members and give their reasons for the dismissal.
10.10 A vote of no confidence against any officer apart from the Ohene, Ohemmaa, the President and the Vice President shall always be decided by a simple majority.
10.11 A vote of no confidence against the Ohene, the President and the Vice President shall always be decided by a 60% majority.
10.12 Any officer who has been deposed as a result of a vote of no confidence shall be suspended from contesting on any office for a period of two and three years respectively, depending on the board he or she was previously serving.
10.13 All articles and clauses are subject to amendments at any time, provided they are supported by the majority of the union members.
Compiled on this day, Saturday, June 3rd 2000 in the year of our Lord.
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Compiled on the 23rd June 2000