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ABSTRACT
Ghana is regarded as a leader of democracy and stability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Owing to two decades of rapid economic growth and relatively peaceful transitions of power after elections, it is also one of the fastest developing and safest countries in the region. However, some challenges for internal stability and development are still to be addressed, for instance: the quality of leadership, poverty, environmental problems or inadequate and ineffective regulations. While solving these problems Ghanaian politicians and citizens have to either choose between or bring together both tradition and modernity. One of the aspects to analyse is traditional form of governance, in particular the role of traditional leaders, such as chiefs and queen mothers, in development, as well as their relationships and coexistence with the local and state government institutions. Therefore, this article focuses on understanding how traditional ways of thinking and acting, especially in the case of traditional leaders, influence Ghana's strive for national development. The main questions are: whether they can be used as resources or rather constitute impediments? and how are they changing to address contemporary challenges?
Keywords: Africa, Ghana, development, traditional leadership, chieftaincy
INTRODUCTION
Achieving national development is a primary goal of all African countries. Ghana is one that is regarded to be relatively successful in realizing it, as it has managed to avoid major internal conflicts or instability and reduce the level of poverty in the country1. Since the independence in 1957, Ghana has went through almost all possible stages of state management and development pathways, from military regimes to democratic governments. Success in establishing and maintaining democracy made Ghana a paragon of good governance in the West African subregion, which over the two decades or so had been better known for a spiral of violent conflicts2.
With the territory (land and water area) of over 238.5 sq km and a population of over 26 million people (July 2015 est.)3, Ghana is a relatively small country, however it plays a significant role in West Africa and the whole African continent as a promoter of democracy, free speech and, what is most important, peace. Although Ghana possesses a huge economic potential4 and is developing fast5, it has performed very poorly in comparison to some other states, which were...