Following a recent murder in Mafi Adidome, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V has renewed calls for the government to empower traditional authorities through urgent reforms to the chieftaincy system.
In a statement issued on his behalf and signed by Dr. Gideon Quarcoo, Principal Elder of the Toh/Tovie Clan, the revered chief condemned the killing and used the occasion to highlight long-standing frustrations about the inability of chiefs to adequately enforce communal sanctions.
“As traditional leaders, we are the custodians of peace, unity, and development,” the statement read. “But our ability to administer timely and culturally rooted justice is increasingly limited by outdated laws and procedural gaps.”
Togbe Agyeman specifically pointed to Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759), calling for its review and the removal of what he described as “redundant provisions” that undermine the authority of traditional rulers in dealing with misconduct in their communities.
He expressed support for President John Mahama’s proposal to reform the chieftaincy institution and urged that the process meaningfully empower chiefs to sanction wrongdoing, especially in cases of communal tension and criminal behavior.
Touching on the murder incident, he extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families and stressed that such criminal acts were not reflective of the broader character of the Mafi Adidome community.
“These are isolated events that do not define who we are. Mafi Adidome remains peaceful, welcoming, and law-abiding. We are a forward-looking community open to all, regardless of origin,” he stated.
Togbe Agyeman’s call adds to growing national conversations around how to balance constitutional governance with traditional authority, especially in the face of rising community-level conflicts and social breakdowns.
