The role of customary governance systems for local democracy, good governance and service delivery: The case of Ghana

Paper* presented at International IDEA’s Panel on Local Democracy, ‘Public Administration and Governance: Tradition and Transformation’ International Conference, The University of Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance Manila, 27–29 June 2012.

Local governance, decentralization and democracy are  key components of the traditional Ghanaian institution of chieftaincy. In the past this institution engendered participatory democracy, good governance and social protection, but it is currently challenged by the formal decentralization of public administration. Although the institution has remained intact, its functions have gone through several paradigm shifts during both the colonial and post-independence eras of Ghana. While it does not currently form part of the formal local government administration structure, it maintains an informal and sacrosanct niche in local governance. The roles of the chieftaincy institution need to be redefined and clarified within the nexus of traditions, demands of good governance and modern local democracy to enable it to provide a complementary conduit for effective and efficient local governance for development.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) 2012

International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. International IDEA’s mission is to support sustainable democratic change by providing comparative knowledge, and assisting in democratic reform, and influencing policies and politics.