Chieftaincy disputes in Akuapem Traditional Area: a search for solution

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Date
AUGUST 2013
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Abstract
Ghana’s chieftaincy institution has been one of the best known and the most cherished for centuries. The Chief is traditionally, both the political head and the religious head. Before colonial era, most dispute in the Chieftaincy institutions were based on failure of Chiefs to consult the elders, and breaching of any of the taboos of the stool. However, in recent times issues like misappropriating of stool lands, government interference, and greed have also been cited as some of the causes of major disputes in the Chieftaincy institution. The thesis seeks to identify the major causes and effects of chieftaincy disputes in the Akuapem Traditional Area. Discussions went into some of the ways of finding solutions to chieftaincy disputes in the traditional area. Some Chiefs, Queens, Palace courtiers, and some Elderly statesmen were interviewed. Some of the causes of chieftaincy disputes identified in the traditional area centred on the differences in the Abotakyi and the Larteh Accords, succession to throne, demarcations of boundaries, government interference in the chieftaincy institution, etc. The research concludes by recommending that, the Traditional Council and the Regional House of Chiefs needs to be resourced adequately to enable them carry out their mandates effectively. When chiefs realise they can no more hold on to power due to old age or ill-health, they should try handing over to another person. Both the print and electronic media must be circumspect in their reportage of conflict issues.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy.
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