Host of The Last Word, Sekou Nkrumah, has called for a national conversation on the role of chieftaincy in Ghana’s political and governance system, arguing that traditional institutions should be integrated into national development without creating ethnic divisions.
He said Ghana’s traditional authorities could play a more meaningful role in governance if the country developed a system that reflected its own history and cultural values rather than relying entirely on Western political models.
Speaking on The Last Word on Thursday, September 10, Mr Nkrumah said chieftaincy had historically been part of Ghana’s political administration and should not be viewed merely as a ceremonial institution.
“I think we as Ghanaians, as Africans, we should do things differently. We can’t just copy everything from the Western world,” he said.
He recalled that traditional authorities played roles in colonial-era political structures, including through councils of chiefs that participated in selecting representatives to the colonial legislative council.
According to him, that history provides a basis for examining how traditional institutions could contribute to contemporary governance while preserving Ghana’s democratic and national identity.
Mr Nkrumah, however, cautioned that any expanded role for chieftaincy must be based on national cohesion rather than ethnic dominance.
He warned against attempts by individuals or groups to use the prestige of traditional institutions to advance claims of tribal superiority or political supremacy.
“We need one country. We can’t have a divided country and we can’t have people with an agenda to think of some above the rest. I think that’s unacceptable,” he said.
Asante history
Mr Nkrumah acknowledged the distinctive historical significance of the Asante Kingdom, citing its long history, political organisation, military strength and resistance to British colonial rule.
He said recognition of that history should not, however, be used to place Asante or any other traditional area above Ghana’s other ethnic and cultural groups.
“The complaint would be when you try to put it way above the rest, relegate the rest, and then undercurrent there are some political manipulations or individuals who want supremacy of a certain tribe over the others,” he said.
He stressed that Ghana’s cultural diversity should be treated as a source of national strength rather than a basis for competition among ethnic groups.
Culture must evolve
Mr Nkrumah further argued that Ghana’s traditional institutions should evolve with changing social and political realities.
“Culture is not something that remains the same, it’s dynamic. So it’s always evolving, developing,” he said.
He said chieftaincy could therefore be reimagined to meet contemporary governance needs while preserving its historical and cultural significance.
He also criticised the growing influence of tribal considerations in Ghanaian politics, particularly under the Fourth Republic, saying political actors had at various times exploited ethnic identities for political advantage.
He urged Ghanaians to distinguish between the actions of individuals pursuing divisive agendas and the broader traditional institutions or ethnic communities they claim to represent.
“A few people with hidden agendas, or in this case, let me say inward-looking agendas, should not spoil it for the rest of us,” he said.
Mr Nkrumah said traditional authorities should instead be institutions that citizens can look to for protection, identity and a sense of belonging.
“We should be looking up to our chiefs or the chieftaincy institutions. So it’s something we should feel safe with, not something that we feel threatened with,” he said.
He subsequently called on academics, policymakers and citizens to broaden the debate on chieftaincy and explore ways of incorporating traditional institutions into Ghana’s governance framework without compromising national unity.
He said such a conversation could help Ghana develop political structures that better reflect its history and cultural realities while ensuring that no traditional area or ethnic group is elevated above the rest.
