Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III, Omanhene of the Akwapim Traditional Area, on Wednesday blamed the numerous chieftaincy disputes in the country on impostors, who invaded the institution.
He said, "Problems of the institution are caused by the invasion of people who are not carved for the job."
Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa was speaking at a symposium on Chieftaincy and National Unity at the 54th New Year School, organised by the Institute of Adult Education, on the theme: "Stability and National Unity," underway at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The Omanhene advised chiefs against partisan politics, saying it tended to introduce party rivalry into the chieftaincy institution and it could undermine the unifying role of the traditional authority.
Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa said a good chief should be dedicated to the welfare of his or her subjects, be practical and fair without being domineering. He noted that chieftaincy had stood the test of times and for the institution to continue to serve the interest of the people, chiefs should foster peace and unity in their communities.
Professor Godwin Nukunya, of the Department of Sociology, University of Ghana, Legon, called on chiefs to assist in conflict resolution, following ethnic tension and disputes.
He urged traditional rulers to encourage inter-ethnic marriages to promote national unity. Prof. Nukunya urged chiefs to continue to uphold the dignity society accorded them by demonstrating exemplary leadership qualities.
He said the jurisdiction of the chieftaincy institution was limited in scope while some people regarded the duties of chiefs as anachronistic in the face of globalisation.
Prof. Nukunya said the enstolment and enskinment of educated people as chiefs had helped to streamline the institution.
The Reverend Dr Emmanuel Asante, President of Trinity Theological Seminary, said the numerous chieftaincy disputes were becoming a threat to national cohesion. He called on the National House of Chiefs to assist chiefs to enable them to give the Chieftaincy institution a better image.
Dr Irene Odotei of the Chieftaincy Governance and Development project of the University of Ghana, Legon, said chieftaincy studies had been introduced in the schools curricular to ensure that students took interest in the institution.
