1. POLI 112 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Sessions 3&4 : Traditional Political Institutions
Lecturer: Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Department of Political Science

2. Traditional Political Institutions Defined
By Traditional Political Institutions we refer to the institution of chieftaincy
Chiefs play a crucial role in their various communities and areas of local jurisdictions.
Before colonization, there were areas in West Africa referred to as acephalous societies. These societies had no chiefs with centralized authority.
On the contrary, some of the societies have centralized authorities epitomized by the institution of chieftaincy
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG

3. Features of The Ideal-Type Bureacracy
It is for example practiced in Britain while the
Features of The Ideal-Type Bureacracy
The Ideal-Type Bureaucracy has the following features
Rational and Calculable Rules
Impersonality
Permanence
Anonymity
Neutrality
Meritocracy
Proper Filing system
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG .

4. Legitimacy of Chiefs
There are various sources of legitimacy of chiefs. There include:
Hereditary
Conquest
Descent
Membership of a particular ruling family or
Compensation or reward for bravery or distinguished service to the community
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

5. Selection of Chiefs
No one was born a chief. There are elaborate selection process in determining who must be the ruler of the people in the traditional setting
Among the Akans for example, the traditional officials who play leading role in the selection of chiefs are the krontihene, gyaasehene and queen-mother
After their selection, the chief is outdoored for public acceptance by the entire community
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

6. Qualities of a Chief
In selecting a chief, traditional officials look out for the following qualities:
Humility
Generosity
Good character
Good name and reputation
Manliness
Strong physique
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

7. Functions of A Chief
Governance, in charge of the day-today administration of the traditional community
Settlement of disputes and ensuring justice
Making bye laws and ensuring their enforcement
Commander-in-chief of the local army
Spiritual leadership
Custodian of traditional norms, values, etc
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

8. Restraints on the Powers of the Chief
Deposition
The Role of the Commoners
Prohibition Against Holding Property
The Role of the gods and ancestors
Membership of Secret Society
Revolt
Desertion
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

9. Image of a chief .
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

10. The Role of Chiefs in Modern Times
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

11. The Role of Chiefs in Modern Times (Cont)
Even though some have argued that the institution of chieftaincy is anachronistic and irrelevant, it has been forcefully pointed out that chiefs are still relevant particularly in the rural hinterlands.
In modern times, they can play the following roles:
Poverty reduction, through the provision of short-term loans to people to do business
Providing basic education for the rural child
Increasing access to productive assets of the rural people such as land, capital etc
Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS

12. The Role of Chiefs in Modern Times (Cont)
Encouraging popular participation in the development process
Increasing the political, social and cultural choices of the people
Making efforts to control population Growth
Enhancing the health and nutritional status of their people
Taking the initiative to control environmental degradation
Paying particular attention to the problems of women in the rural areas.
Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS

13. Reading List
Refer to Unit 2, pp of Poli 112 (Political Institutions) Modules
Gyampo, R.E.V. The state of Political Institutions in Ghana, (Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing Inc. 2012) pp
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

14. Concluding Remark THANK YOU R.E.V GYAMPO
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG