South Sudan Traditional Chiefs Tour - Ghana
Day 1: Tuesday 29th August 2006
On the first day in Ghana, the traditional leaders met the President of the
National House of Chiefs (NHOC), members of the National House of Chiefs and
the Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture.
The meeting was opened by an address by the President of the NHOC, Odeneho
Gyapong Ababio II. He stated that the meeting was a historic occasion as it
was the first time that traditional elders from both countries meet and that
he was happy to play host. He went on to speak about chieftainship in Ghana.
Before Ghana was colonized, traditional leaders were in charge of administration.
Even during colonization the chiefs continued to be in charge as there was indirect
rule by the colonizers. After independence the powers of the chiefs were reduced.
Currently, the institution of chieftainship has been guaranteed by the constitution
but the chiefs are not to take part in active partisan politics.
Nevertheless, traditional leaders see themselves as partners of development
in the country. It is their responsibility, in collaboration with the government,
to make sure their citizens enjoy good services. Even though the chiefs cannot
be members of parliament, there is that link between them and the local government
to ensure their people good living standards.
The National House of Chiefs has 50 members. Ghana is made up of 10 regions.
Each region has a Regional House of Chiefs. Paramount Chiefs in all the 10 regions
constitute the membership of the National House of Chiefs. Every 3 years elections
are held to elect 5 members from the Regional House of Chiefs to the National
House of Chiefs.
The role of traditional leaders centers on;
- Fighting poverty in collaboration with the government
- Promoting positive cultures
- Getting rid of negative cultures
- Codification if traditional laws
- Linking their people to the central government
- Amicably settle disputes among their people
- Their female counterparts (Queen Mothers) have ranging jurisdiction in civil matters that include the settlement of marriage disputes.
The Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, Hon. S. K. Boafo welcomed the Southern
Sudanese. He said that the government was ardently supporting the institution
of chieftaincy. He mentioned that last week traditional leaders from South Africa
invited traditional leaders from Ghana to a conference to be held in South Africa
in December 2006. The minister ended by saying that he would cooperate with
Professor Prah, the team leader, to see what could be done in his ministry.
The meeting ended with discussions on the system of inheritance of chieftaincy/Kingship
in both countries. It turned out that in Sudan, it was mostly patrilineal while
in Ghana the Guans are also patrilineal while the Akwas are matrilineal
Day 2: Wednesday 30th August 2006
- Meeting with Paramount Chief of Akuapem District, Nana Addo Dankwa. The
chief presented the Sudanese delegation with gifts – traditional Ghanian
stools, carved from wood.
- Stopover at Kibi to meet Okyenhene. Had a luncheon for the guests
- Departure for Kumasi
Day 3: Thursday 31st August 2006
- Visited Manyhia Palace in Kumasi. This is where the court of the Asantehene
is situated. While there, the traditional leaders from Sudan were taken on
a tour of the palace grounds, the king’s offices and the museum. The
King was away so the delegation did not meet him.
- Departure for Accra
Day 4: Friday 1st September 2007
On the last day, there was an address by the< |
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