Corruption: Main Cause Of Chieftaincy Disputes In Ghana

Chieftaincy, the rich traditional leadership in Ghana is losing its respect and image in the country because of numerous and rampant disputes within the institution; therefore it should be a matter of concern to the government. Almost every paramountcy or traditional area in our nation suffers crisis when the stool or skin becomes vacant.

The adverse effects of this trend could be disunity, war, killings, destruction, poverty, likewise lack of development. Why? In ancient times there were some people called slaves which could be interpreted in Twi as “Akoa” or “Donkor” likewise mix or sojourners now contest royals over their own inherited properties being stools or skins which are the symbols of the royals’ wealth.

How can slaves or sojourners rule their masters? Is it not an abomination and unfair to the Royals? History has it that these mixes were bought with money which could be gold or currency as well as those captured in the war front to serve their captors who are the royals. However, traditional matters are getting a different turn due to the menace of corruption prevailing in the institution.

This should stop immediately without delay as a result of the rate at which chieftaincy issues are rising with its accompanying repercussions. For instance, within the Sefwi Anhwiaso traditional area in the western region; I learnt the paramount chief of the community Nana Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi is one of those ancient slaves therefore he is now bent on encouraging and supporting people who are not royals in affected communities to be installed as chiefs and queens.

According to reliable sources, on one occasion he took twenty thousand Ghana cedis (GHC20000) from one Yaw Debrah a business tycoon and made him the chief of Awaso a notable bauxite mine in the country which nearly resulted in litigation. Currently, I am told the Omanhene and the Adonten queen have taken an unspecified amount of money from an ugly Lilliputian Yaw Badu to be enstooled as the Adontenhene of the traditional council which is creating tension within the Adonten division of Sefwi Anhwiaso Asawinso.

Consequently, his installation could be the worst disgrace to chieftaincy institution in the world because of his imperfect first impression. Are these not few valid examples of corruption in the traditional setting? The criterion for selecting a chief or queen in Ghana as everybody knows has been rotational and not contest. Is it therefore legal according to the chieftaincy Act to allow slaves or mix to contest royals for their inherited stools and skins which are symbols of their wealth? Justice must prevail in the chieftaincy institution and the system should be rotational as it was previously to prevent the high number of chieftaincy cases which are sources of worry to most Ghanaians.

Columnist: Patrick Mensah