Akan Chieftaincy

In many parts of West Africa, there is an old chieftaincy tradition. The Akan have developed their own hierarchy which exists alongside the democratic structure of the country. The Akan word for the ruler is nana. In colonial times, Europeans translated it to “chief”, which is not an exact equivalent. Other sources speak of “kings”, which is also not entirely correct. The term “chief” has become common even amongst modern Ghanaians, though it would be more correct to use the expression nana without translation wherever possible..

The roots of Akan chieftaincy are unknown. Written sources are scarce. When the Akan were settling in the Tekyiman Region, i.e. before 1300, they already had the chieftaincy system for long. The Paramount Chief had a position which can be compared to that of an absolutist king.

When the Republic of Ghana was founded in 1957, it was agreed that the chieftaincy system should be respected.

Chieftaincy is officially accepted. Politicians ask chiefs for advice because usually they are closer to the people. The highest committee is the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi. There are also Regional Houses of Chiefs. In case of problems between the chiefs, the House of Chiefs has a legal function to adjudicate in their matters.

The highest rank is that of a Paramount Chief. Within the Akan ethnic group there are different tribes such as the Ashanti,Akyem, Kwahu, Akwapim, Assin, or the Fante.

Underneath the Paramount chiefs, there are chiefs and subchiefs. A subchief can be compared to the mayor of a town, except for the fact that his office is hereditary as opposed to elective. The chiefs have their own territories, and apart from overseeing them, they have a function at the courts of their paramount chiefs as their ministers. Most of the functions are traditional, while some have been created recently:

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