President John Dramani Mahama has warned that corruption, lawlessness, and violence within the chieftaincy institution pose a serious threat to national peace and development.
Addressing members of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs during a courtesy call, the President said disputes over succession, land, and traditional authority are increasingly being driven by bribery and the manipulation of customary rules, resulting in prolonged conflicts in several communities.
“In the past, we knew clearly what the rules of succession were,” President Mahama said. “But today, sometimes because of wealth—and let me put it bluntly, bribery and corruption—people who are not the legitimate successors are forced onto the skin, and that naturally results in conflict.”
He stressed that resorting to violence cannot resolve chieftaincy or ethnic disputes, insisting that lawful and traditional processes remain the only acceptable path to peace.
“Violence does not solve the problem,” the President stated. “We no longer live in a jungle where the strongest is the one who rules. We must go by the law, arbitration, or mediation.”
President Mahama reminded chiefs that the 1992 Constitution completely removes government from matters of chieftaincy succession, placing responsibility for resolving such disputes on traditional authorities themselves.
“Government has no role to play when it comes to succession,” he said. “But when that succession results in a disturbance of peace and law and order, then government has a duty to intervene.”
Referring to conflicts in areas including Bawku, Bolgatanga, Sampa, and Sunyani, the President cautioned against the rejection of judicial or traditional rulings, warning that such actions could destabilize the country.
“The law is the law,” he emphasized. “Once a decision is taken, it must be implemented. It is not in anybody’s power to reject a decision and impose themselves as a rival chief.”
He further warned that ethnic violence cannot eliminate rival groups, noting that modern laws prohibit genocide and collective punishment, and offenders will be held accountable.
President Mahama commended chiefs for their role in maintaining peace at the community level, stressing that development cannot take place without stability.
“Without peace, there can be no progress,” he said, urging the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs to strengthen peer review and internal conflict-resolution mechanisms to safeguard peace and national unity..
