Controversy over chieftaincy institution.

There is a raging controversy over whether the chieftaincy institution is still relevant to the socioeconomic development of the country. The debate was started by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Freddie Blay who was reported to have said that the institution had no place in contemporary society. He therefore, advocated that the institution be dumped into the museum. Joining the debate a Mankesim traditional chief called for a redefinition of the chieftaincy institution or it be abolished. The Odikro of Nkwanta-Mankesim Traditional area, Nana Obuadum told Joy News that the institution of chieftaincy should either be revolutionized to make it responsive to the developmental needs of Ghanaians or should be abolished entirely. Of late, serious concerns have been raised about the importance of chieftaincy in our developmental efforts against the backdrop of the numerous disputes the institution has generated across the country. Most of these conflicts have resulted in the loss of lives and property. It was in response to this that Mr. Blay reportedly said the institution of chieftaincy is anachronistic and must be discarded for the country to move forward. Speaking to Joy News, Nana Obuadum said he was not surprised that people had started agitating for the institution to be scrapped. He described the development as unfortunate, but noted that chiefs themselves were to blame for it. The Odikro, who will celebrate his silver jubilee next year as a chief, said some chiefs have sold their conscience to politicians and that has opened them up to be manipulation, something he believes is detriment to the people they swore oaths to protect. Nana Obuadum, however, pointed out that to ensure that the chieftaincy institution performed its role in national development, lines of succession of chiefs must be religiously followed. That, he said, will ensure that the right chiefs are installed to ensure peace in all traditional areas for steady development. Contributing to the debate, the Paramount of the Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Akuaku Sarpong said Mr. Blay ought to have suggested the way forward. He said he was open to a national debate on the matter make the institution relevant to the country’s development.