Interior Minister calls for codification of chieftaincy succession to prevent disputes

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has appealed to traditional rulers across the country to expedite the codification of succession lines to bring clarity and stability to the chieftaincy system and prevent unnecessary conflicts.

He noted that the absence of codified succession laws had created opportunities for individuals, including migrants, to falsely claim royal lineage, making it difficult to distinguish rightful heirs from impostors.

He explained that under Article 270 of the Constitution, Parliament cannot pass laws to regulate chieftaincy, making it crucial for chiefs to take the lead in codifying traditional succession rules.

“The law must empower you to codify your own line of succession. Once that is done, it eliminates disputes and provides a clear framework for enforcement. When the time comes to apply the law, we can simply refer to the established code, ensuring that traditions are upheld and followed accordingly,” Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said at the general meeting of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in Dodowa on February 26, 2025.

Chieftaincy disputes

The minister also called on traditional leaders to find alternative ways of resolving chieftaincy disputes, describing them as a major threat to national security.

He noted that the country currently had 11 curfews in place, all stemming from chieftaincy conflicts, which were draining national resources and diverting focus from development.

“I want to make a passionate appeal to Nananom and chiefs across our country to use their own mechanisms to resolve most of these disputes. Chieftaincy disputes are the biggest security challenge we face today,” he emphasised.

To enhance security collaboration, the minister proposed amending the law to allow the Regional House of Chiefs to have a representative at Regional and District Security Council meetings.

That, he said, would ensure chiefs were informed about security issues and could relay important information to their communities.

Additionally, he urged chiefs to lead community sensitisation programmes on security concerns, noting that citizens listened to traditional authorities more than government officials.

“The people listen to you more than they listen to us. If chiefs lead these engagements, they will understand the security implications of their actions and inactions better,” he stated.

He assured the chiefs of the government’s commitment to national security and called for their cooperation in maintaining peace, which he described as essential for business growth and national development.