Chieftaincy in Ghana

by A. Kodzo Paaku Kludze

Overview

Chieftaincy in Ghana is an extensive account of the many roles of chiefs in modern society. A. Kodzo Paaku Kludze provides detailed accounts and analyses of the law practices, rituals, and customs of chieftaincy. Kludze begins his study with a historical account bringing his analyses to the present, and speculates on the future of chieftaincy in its formal and informal roles in the changing social milieu. The author's close personal background and association with chieftaincy allows him to shed light on the mysterious practices and supernatural connections. Kludze offers an authoritative and comprehensive study of chieftaincy in the context of the modern social, political, and legal institutions of Ghana.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781572921214
Publisher:	Austin & Winfield Publishers
Publication date:	08/16/2000
Pages:	624
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.32(h) x 1.43(d)

About the Author

A. Kodzo Paaku Kludze is a Distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers University School of Law, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

	Table of Contents	vii
	Preface	ix
	Table of Cases	xv
	Table of Statutes	xix
Chapter 1	Historical and Cultural Determinants	1
Chapter 2	Chieftaincy and the Ewe Political Organisation	33
Chapter 3	The Stool	99
Chapter 4	The Stool Regalia	117
Chapter 5	The Traditional Oath	137
Chapter 6	The Installation of a Chief	155
Chapter 7	The Ritual Enstoolment and Swearing of Traditional Oath	203
Chapter 8	The Role of the Chief in Traditional Society	223
Chapter 9	Abdication	255
Chapter 10	The Destoolment or Deposition of a Chief	265
Chapter 11	Destoolment Charges	307
Chapter 12	The Formal Proclamation of the Demise of a Chief	337
Chapter 13	The Secret Burial Rites for a Chief	371
Chapter 14	Legal Recognition of Chiefs	399
Chapter 15	Jurisdiction of the Courts in Chieftaincy Matters	431
Chapter 16	Controversial Supreme Court Decision Rejects Chieftaincy Jurisdiction of High Court	469
Chapter 17	The Future of Chieftaincy in Modern Ghana	529
	Appendix I	573
	Appendix II	577
	Index	585

Editorial Reviews

A study of chiefs and chieftaincy in Ghana, focusing on the northern Ewe communities, by a member of a royal family of Ghana who has personally observed the inner workings and traditional roles of chiefs and the chiefly office and witnessed rituals and practices which are generally shrouded in secrecy. Discusses historical and cultural determinants and looks at chieftaincy and the Ewe political organization, then details the significance of various symbols of chieftaincy. Looks at the role of chieftaincy in traditional society, and discusses legal recognition of chiefs, jurisdiction of the courts in chieftaincy matters, and the future of chieftaincy in modern Ghana. The author is a lawyer by training and has attempted to approach the subject with the bias of a lawyer, rather than a sociologist or anthropologist. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews