Chieftaincy is one of Ghana’s oldest traditional institutions. It had remained resilient despite attempts by both colonial and post-independent governments to control and undermine it.
The Chieftaincy Institution in Ghana is a system that structures and regulates the activity of the community by a head of a tribe or clan in Ghanaian society. The chiefs are divided into several categories and they are in order of the highest authority. They consist of the paramount chief, divisional chiefs, sub-divisional chiefs, “Adikrofo”, and other minor chiefs.
Chiefs obtain their position through enstoolment or coronation and can lose it through destoolment.
The enstoolment process begins when the families contending for the position have agreed or decided upon the person to be appointed. The decision becomes final when the queen mother approves the selected person as capable of ruling the people. Once approved, he undergoes secret rituals performed by the queen mother and some elders of the community. The chief then pledges his oath of allegiance to the community, to respect and protect it at all times, and above all to uphold its traditions. Despite this public acclamation, the enstoolment is not official until approved by the government through publication in the Government Gazette.
Amba gallery has an amazing artifact, which depicts a chief and a queen mother. Visit us for more information!!
