President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans by the government to codify chieftaincy succession processes in the Upper West Region as part of efforts to reduce disputes and strengthen peace in traditional communities.
According to the President, documenting royal families, succession gates and rotational arrangements will eliminate uncertainties surrounding the selection of chiefs and help prevent conflicts over rightful succession.
President Mahama made the announcement on Wednesday, July 8, when members of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House.
He praised traditional leaders in the region for their role in maintaining peace despite growing security challenges in neighbouring Sahel countries.
“Peace remains the foundation of prosperity, and I commend the Regional House of Chiefs for its role in keeping the Upper West as one of Ghana’s most peaceful regions amid the instability in the wider Sahel area,” President Mahama said.
The President, however, stressed the need to formally document succession arrangements to address recurring disputes over the installation of chiefs.
“But like the President of the House of Chiefs said, we should continue and go ahead to codify the succession. Nowadays, the kingmakers have become corrupt. And so, even though they know who is the rightful person, a big envelope can change their minds,” he stated.
President Mahama expressed concern that financial inducements have, in some instances, influenced traditional succession processes, resulting in the installation of individuals who have no legitimate claim to stools or skins.
“They go and bring somebody who has absolutely nothing to do with the royal family and want to install the person as the leader of the traditional area. And that is what creates the conflicts,” he said.
He explained that a codified succession system would clearly identify eligible royal families, succession gates and the rotational order for ascending to traditional leadership positions.
According to the President, such reforms would enhance transparency, reduce chieftaincy disputes and promote lasting peace across traditional areas.
“If we codify the families and the various gates and the rotational succession, we should have more peace in this country than we have seen lately,” he added.
