The Chieftaincy institution in Ghana is a system that structures and regulates the activity of local chieftains in the Ghanaian society and the state.  It is one of the most respected and enduring traditional institutions in Ghana which has displayed a remarkable resilience from pre-colonial through colonial to post-colonial regimes.

In the past, the role of the chief was to lead the people in a war to defend, protect and extend their territories.  The modern role is to combat poverty and other social ills, illiteracy, ignorance, environmental degradation and depletion of resources.  These days, chiefs are under pressure to achieve good governance in their traditional areas and are challenged to integrate tradition and modernity, a process about which there is a considerable debate.

THE 1992 CONSTITUTION AND CHIEFTAINCY INSTITUTION

In accordance with Article 271 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 1 of the Chieftaincy Act 759, the National House of Chiefs is the umbrella body that regulates the activities of chiefs in this country.  The House consist of five paramount chiefs from each region elected by the Regional House of Chiefs constituted in the various regions in the country.  Prior to the creation of six new regions, the total membership of the National House of Chiefs stood at 50.  This number is likely to increase with the creation of additional regions in the country.

The role of the chieftaincy institution in the national development as enshrined in the constitution is basically peacekeeping, peace enforcement, peacemaking and peacebuilding.  It, therefore, presupposes that peace in general in pre-colonial era, was manifested in the functions of the institution in general and the chief in particular.

CHIEFTAINCY INSTITUTION LOSING RESPECT

Studies have shown that the once revered chieftaincy institution in Ghana has taken a nose dive with persistent conflicts which tend to tear the institution apart.  The majority of these conflicts have been concentrated in northern part of the country, which have resulted in violent clashes leading to loss of lives and destruction of property.  Notable areas in the north where chieftaincy conflicts have taken major toll on their economies include, Dagbon, Bawku, Bimbilla, Bolga and Bole.

It is also a fact that beyond the contest among royals, chieftaincy conflicts involve other actors such as politicians who use their influence on the people for political power.  Politicians and youth groups have all influenced and manipulated chieftaincy conflicts for their own selfish motives.  People not related to the chieftaincy contest and, therefore, have nothing to do with the chieftaincy matters sometimes take active interest in some of these conflicts and become embroiled in the escalation of the violence.  Candidates for chieftaincy positions rely on the support of local and national political leaders to help them achieve their powers over traditional areas.  Their association with the chiefs in the conflicts often comes with a cost.

ROLE OF NPP, NDC IN CHIEFTAINCY CONFLICT

The two main political parties in this country, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), have been identified as major actors in some of these chieftaincy conflicts in the country.  It is also important to note that businessmen aligned to these two major parties use their wealth to sponsor some of these conflicts so that they eventually recoup the benefits when their favourite party comes to power.

If these politicians and businessmen will free themselves from fanning these chieftaincy conflicts, the institution will bounce back and regain its former glories as a profound body ready to provide that leadership role to the people.

DRAMA SURROUNDING INSTALLATION OF GA MANTSE

Another interesting development in the Ga State, is the drama surrounding the installation of a Ga Mantse.  This particular case has seen a back and forward approach from the High Court to the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter of the case.  So far, there have been three High Court rulings concerning this Ga Chieftaincy issue involving Nii Adama Latse II and Dr Kelvin Tackie, over who is the legitimate occupant of the Ga Mantse stool.

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court was that the various high courts which heard the matter lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate cases involving chieftaincy and that, the judges should have declined jurisdiction when the matter was brought before them for determination.  The five-member bench, therefore, annulled the ruling of Justice Naa Adoley Azu on whose decision the two other judges, Justice Gifty Dekyem and Justice Nicholas Abodakpi also made in their determination of the case.

GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN CHIEFTAINCY MATTERS

It is a fact that government after government continues to either back or influence the installation of chiefs in the Ga state, making sure that their favourites are selected to occupy the stool even though they are not yet qualified for the throne.    We have experienced that in many of the past regimes and this does not augur well for development.  It rather polarizes the people and stalls development and progress.

In order to make the chieftaincy institution sacred and well respected, it is important for ruling governments not to involve themselves in the day to day activities of chiefs who are development agents in their various localities.  They can only be consulted to facilitate development among people and under no circumstance should chiefs be allowed to play active roles in politics.  The constitution has made it clear that chiefs who are interested in doing politics must abdicate the throne before wearing the political colour.

BAWKU CHIEFTAINCY CONFLICT

Currently the government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the Bawku municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region following renewed chieftaincy dispute in the area.  It has placed a total ban on all persons in the area from carrying arms and ammunition or any offensive weapons.  There were gun shots in the Bawku township on Tuesday night of November 23, 2021, resulting in heightened tension.  The incident is said to be linked to a planned performance of a “Bawku Chief’s” funeral who died 41 years ago.

SOLUTION TO CHIEFTAINCY CONFLICTS

In resolving chieftaincy disputes, conflicts and stopping their politicization, the various houses of chiefs should be empowered and be the only institution for handling chieftaincy issues. Besides, there is the need to codify the lines of succession of chiefs in our country.  Sanctions must also be applied to politicians and other influential personalities who interfere in the chieftaincy institution.

The government must strengthen our chieftaincy institution by providing it with the needed support and resources to serve as agents of change in their localities rather infiltrating into their ranks to divide them and the people.  It is equally important for the people to respect that sacred institution and not to allow themselves by politicians and businessmen to use them as guinea pigs while their children are confined in the comfort of their homes enjoying.  When you die for the sake of chieftaincy dispute and conflict, you die for nothing and, therefore, you need to reject any move by politicians and businessmen to fight chieftaincy battles with no basis and relevance.

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By Charles Neequaye