Details

Justification

In view of its conviction that the Traditional Authority (TA) system in Ghana is an important component of the overall governance system especially with regard to rural Ghana. There is empirical evidence that in Ghana at least 90% of ordinary Ghanaians (both rural and urban) believe and depend on our traditional authority system for organizing their lives. The traditional authority system still remains the defacto governance system as the state and its institutions have still not penetrated into the bulk of the population yet.

KAF is to focusing more on strengthening the Traditional Authority system to play an even stronger role in Ghana’s development process in the coming years. Since Ghana attained independence, the issue of duality in governance in the Ghanaian society cannot be overemphasized. Various Governments have adopted different policies towards the Chieftaincy and chiefs are made to different roles in the Ghanaian society. KAF has also been working with the Chiefs for more than twelve years on various thematic areas with the objective of harnessing the potentials of the institution.

As Ghana celebrates 50 years of independence, it is important to undertake critical assessment and stock taking of how this important institution has fair and examine its role in future developmental processes. Although some consensus are emerging from various spheres on the relevance of the institution and the role that the citizenry expect of it in the context of present day development trends.

Objectives

To organize a 2-day workshop in order provide a platform for articulating views from a diverse section of the Ghanaian society on the past as well as the relevance and the future role of the chieftaincy institution in the current global development context.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of the workshop, it is expected that answers would be found for the following questions:

1. What do the people think about the institution of chieftaincy and its relevance in the present day modern Ghana?
2. How do chiefs see themselves in present day development trends?
3. How representative is the chieftaincy institution as a people’s institution?
4. To what extent has the institution responded the policies of various regimes in the last fifty years.
5. Does the chief speak for the people or do the people speak through the chief?
6. How do we deal with the duality – traditional vs. formal governances systems in Ghana?
7. What should be the precise future role of the chief in governance and development?

Answers to these questions would guide KAF in the design of its programme of support for traditional authorities in the coming years.

Expected outputs

The workshop will come out with a communiqué on the conclusions of the discussions with regards to the theme. The papers that would be presented and the ensuing discussions would be compiled and published as a book for wide circulation.

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Programme

Friday, 16th February 2007

OPENING SESSION

8.15amSetting of participants

8.20amOpening Prayer

8.25amIntroduction of Chairman

8.30am Welcome address by the Nana Nketsia IV

8.45amRemarks by Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Foundation

9.00amStatement by Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture

9.25amKeynote address by the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John A. Kufuor

9.50amGroup Photograph

10.00amCocoa Break

TECHNICAL SESSION

10.30amThe Constitution and Chieftaincy – The Myth and Reality – Nana Akuoku Sarpong

11.00amDiscussion

12.00amChanging the developmental Future of Ghana through traditional Institutions – Prof. John Kaburise, Vice Chancellor University of Development Studies,

12.30amDiscussion

1.30pmLunch

3.30pmIs the Chieftaincy Institution ethically prepared for the future Challenges? – Nana Prof. S. K. B. Asante

4.00pmDiscussion

5.00pmThe Chieftaincy Institution is anachronistic to Ghana’s future Development – Prof. Kojo Amanor

5.30pmDiscussion

7.00pmSupper

Saturday, 17th February 2007

7.00amBreakfast

9.00amResourcing the Chieftaincy Institution – Past, Present and Future – Hon. Dr. Ben Kunbuor, Member of Parliament

9.30amDiscussion

10.30amThe way forward – Prof. George Hagan Chairman of National Commission on Culture.

11.00amDiscussion

12.00pmCocoa Break

12.30pmPresentation of communiqué

1.00pmLunch and Closing