Chieftaincy, a time-honored institution respected globally, finds itself in the throes of controversy in Ghana. For centuries, chiefs have been the custodians of tradition and culture, predating modern political systems. Recognizing its importance, the 1992 Constitution of Ghana afforded chiefs special recognition. However, recent developments at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in Dodowa and the National House of Chiefs threaten to erode the very respect that chieftaincy commands.
The crux of the issue lies in the alleged corruption within these institutions. A glaring example is the recent gazette issued for a candidate vying for the Ngleshie Alata Paramountcy, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the chieftaincy declaration process. Nil Ahuma Kojo III, one of the candidates, has faced repeated rejection of his Chieftaincy Declaration (CD) forms by the registrar, Mr. Enoch Addo, who appears to favor another candidate. This bias persists despite a pending legal case challenging the legitimacy of the preferred candidate.
The controversy deepened when Nil Armaah Kwafio II, acting as the president of Ngleshie Alata and vice president of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, was reportedly pressured by Nil Odaifio Welensti to endorse the preferred candidate’s CD forms. A video allegedly confirms this meeting, during which Kwafio II refused to comply with the request.
In a bid for fairness, Nil Ahuma Kojo III petitioned the National House of Chiefs, highlighting the bias at the regional level. When he met the president of the National House of Chiefs, Nana Yaw Ogyeahoho in Kumasi, he was advised to resolve any legal issues before proceeding. Despite this, Mr. Enoch Addo surreptitiously submitted the preferred candidate’s CD forms to Kumasi, prompting Nil Ahuma Kojo III to alert Nana Yaw Ogyeahoho about the ongoing court cases.
Further complicating matters, the Ngleshie Traditional Council has yet to deliberate on the CD forms, and the acting president, Nil Armaah Kwafio, has not endorsed any document. Instead, the Adenta Chief, Nil Ayikwei, who previously advised Nil Ahuma Kojo III to petition the National House of Chiefs, signed the forms.
Amidst growing tensions, on Thursday, June 20, 2024, National Registrar Mr. Anthony Yeboah Tabiri, along with Enoch Addo and Odaifio Welensti, reportedly fled Kumasi to avoid being served with a court order.
As the president of the National House of Chiefs, Nana Yaw Ogyeahoho now faces an unenviable task of addressing the growing crisis within the chieftaincy institution. The unfolding events call into question the integrity of a revered institution and its ability to uphold the traditions and values it has long championed.
