In many parts of West Africa, there is an old chieftaincy tradition. The Akan of Ghana have developed their own hierarchy which exists aside the democratic structure of the country. The Akan word for the ruler is nana. In colonial times, Europeans translated it to “chief”, which is not equivalent. Other sources speak of “kings”, which is also not correct. The term “chief” has naturalized nowadays, though it would be more exact to use the Fante expression nana.
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The roots of Akan chieftaincy are unknown. Written sources are scarce. When the Akan were settling in the Tekyiman Region, i.e. before 1300, they already had the chieftaincy system for long. The Paramount Chief had a position which can be compared to that of an absolutist king.
When the Republic of Ghana was founded in 1957, it was agreed that the chieftaincy system should be respected.
Chieftaincy is officially accepted. Politicians ask chiefs for advice because usually they are closer to the people. The highest committee is the National House of Chiefs in Accra. There are also Regional Houses of Chiefs. In case of problems between the chiefs, the House of Chiefs has a legal function.
The highest rank is that of a Paramount chief. Within the Akan people, there are different sub-groups, like the Ashanti or the Fante. The Ashanti have only one paramount chief, the asantehene. The present Asantehene is Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II. Foreign guests of state usually visit the president and the Asantehene. The Fante have several Paramount Chiefs with very small territories. So the influence of the Fante Paramount Chief is comparatively small.
Underneath the Paramount chiefs, there are Chiefs and subchiefs. A subchief can be compared to the mayor of a village. The chiefs have their own territory, and apart from that, they have a function at court. Most of the functions are traditional, some have been created recently:
A chief arbitrates and decides political and economic questions in his area. When he is installed, he receives a stool name. Usually, all chief on one stool have the same name – a number is added.
The English translation of the title Omanhene is "Paramount Chief".
Ankobea means one who stays at home or does not go anywhere. Ankobeahene is the caretaker of the palace.
Obaatan means "parent". His symbol is the egg out of which all other chiefs came. He is Omanhene's counsellor. When Omanhene's stool is vacant, Obaatan suggests the next candidate.
The "warrior" is the head of the Asafo companies. The 'Tofuhene or Tufohene' is also the Chief Adviser to the Chief. The meaning of Tufo in Akan language is ADVISE.
There are four positions describing military flanks. Adontehene is the one who goes in front of the army.
Nkyidom is the last going. He collects the soldiers who are left behind and sends them back to the army. During Odambea, Nkyidom always sits in the last palanquin.
Nyimfahene holds the right position of the army.
Benkumhene has the left flank.
If there is anything to distribute or to share, Akyampimhene has to do it.
Mankrado's function is purification. He puts leaves into the water which he sprinkles over omanhene. He always has salt in his pocket to make things taste better for Omanhene.
The function of Guantuahene is younger than ten years. Guantoahene is the one people can turn to for shelter and mercy.
Nsumankwahene watches the oracle. This function is also younger than ten years.
Nkosuohene is responsible for the development of the region. The title is in use since about ten years and was adopted from the Ashanti who had made it up before. This title was created to honour someone who does not have to be member of a royal family. There are some foreigners who have been honoured with this title.
The most important person in the chief's entourage is the priest or priestess (okomfo). Traditionally, the priest tells the chief when it is for example time to start a war or to marry.
There is also a stool wife. No matter if a chief is married or not, when installed, he will be married to a very young girl. Nowadays, it is not obligatory, though polygamy is still legal. Today, the symbolic act is sufficient: During parades, a stool wife is sitting in front of the chief.
A chief has one or more linguists (okyeami, sg.). A chief never talks in public, but conveys messages through his linguist who is also responsible for the pouring of libations.
The title of Queen mother can relate to the rank of a paramount queen, a queen or a sub-queen. The Akan name is the same as for the men, “nana”. When using English, Ghanaians say “queen mother”. This woman is not necessarily the respective chief's mother. Her role in the system is to have an eye on the social conditions, and a personally capable Queen mother has been known to equal or even surpass a reigning Chief in terms of power and prestige. A good example of this happening is the case of Queen Yaa Asantewa.
On occasions, chiefs wear the traditional cloth, which is a six yards long piece of fabric, wrapped around the body. Female chiefs have two pieces of fabric which can be of different design.
The jewellery is very ample and used to be of gold. Nowadays, most chiefs are wearing imitations. The Head-Dress usually has the form of a crown. It can be made of metal or of black velvet, ornamented with metal. Chiefs have traditional sandals, and the wearing of sandals is symbolic. When a chief abdicates, he puts off his sandals.
When riding in a palanquin, chiefs hold a fly-whisk in one hand and a ceremonial sword in the other. The fly-whisk is made of animal hair.
The ceremonial short sword is used for animal sacrifice. The chiefs touches the animal's throat symbolically with his sword before someone else cuts the throat with a sharp knife.
During a Durbar, which is a special parade, some chiefs are carried in a palanquin. Subchiefs have to walk. The palanquins can have the form of a chair or of a bed.
Instead of a throne, Akan Chiefs are sitting on a stool. When they die, their stool is painted black and stored in a sacred room.
Very big umbrellas made of silk and other rich fabrics show from afara that a chief is coming.
As there is not much written information, oral sources have to be quoted: