Abstract
The study seeks to explore the role of chiefs-kings among the Akan in Ghana vis-à-vis the functions of the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies and the relevance of the chieftaincy institution in contemporary society. A literary approach was adopted for the study making use of analysed secondary data. The study findings indicated that whereas the functions of the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies are political and administrative, that of the chiefs-kings among the Akan in Ghana are executive, legislative, judicial, religious (spiritual) and agents of development. The functions of the Assemblies are therefore complementary, collaborative and co-operative to that of the chiefs-kings. Thus, the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies and the chieftaincy institutions are not opposed to each other but collaborative in function. The article maintains that the chieftaincy institution is still relevant in contemporary society despite the abuses by some chiefs-kings and cannot be replaced by the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies. The study recommends that the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies and the chiefs-kings should recognise each other as partners and collaborators in their jurisdictions and not as competitors or opponents. The Assemblies should recognize that the chiefs-kings are the custodians of the land and intermediaries between the living and the ancestors and give them their due rights. As such, the chiefs-kings hold the keys to the peace and development of their kingdoms; and chiefs-kings should serve their subjects as role models and govern them with humility, justice and peace. The study contributes to the understanding of the chieftaincy institution among the Akan in Ghana.
Highlights
According to Marfo and Halidu, the chiefs were the leaders, law-makers and judges of their jurisdictions.2 in contemporary society such as Ghana, many of the roles that used to be played by chiefs have been given to state agencies such as the District/Municipal/Metropolitan Assemblies.3 they are of the view that the chieftaincy institution is still relevant in contemporary society despite some of its flaws
The article maintains that the chieftaincy institution is still relevant in contemporary society despite the abuses by some chiefs-kings and cannot be replaced by the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies.The study recommends that the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies and the chiefs-kings should recognise each other as partners and collaborators in their jurisdictions and not as competitors or opponents
The chiefs-kings hold the keys to the peace and development of their kingdoms; and chiefs-kings should serve their subjects as role models and govern them with humility, justice and peace
Summary
According to Marfo and Halidu, the chiefs were the leaders, law-makers and judges of their jurisdictions. in contemporary society such as Ghana, many of the roles that used to be played by chiefs have been given to state agencies such as the District/Municipal/Metropolitan Assemblies. they are of the view that the chieftaincy institution is still relevant in contemporary society despite some of its flaws. The study seeks to explore the role of chiefs-kings among the Akan in Ghana vis-à-vis the functions of the District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies and the relevance of the chieftaincy institution in contemporary society. Symbol of Culture and Heritage of the People The chief is the custodian of the rich culture of the Akan people He champions and lobbies for development projects in his area, in some societies today, one often hears of some chiefs-kings who use their positions to amass wealth and enrich themselves instead of looking for the wellbeing of their subjects. This behaviour of the latter undermines the very nature and role of the chieftaincy institution in Akan society and culture. Some chiefs-kings demand huge sums of money before they release lands for developmental projects. These and many others do not augur well for the chieftaincy institution and bring the noble institution into disrepute
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