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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Divided sovereignty: traditional authority and the State in Ghana |
Author: | Ray, Donald I. |
Year: | 1996 |
Periodical: | Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law |
Issue: | 37-38 |
Pages: | 181-202 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Ghana |
Subjects: | political systems chieftaincy |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1080/07329113.1996.10756479 |
Abstract: | Using the case of Ghana, the author argues that traditional authorities form a parallel power to the State because, in most cases, chiefs derive their legitimacy and authority from precolonial roots, while the State is a creation of and a successor to the imposed colonial State. Where chiefs have been seen as competitors for sovereignty, the State has moved to limit their power. The author explores the question of divided sovereignty in Ghana, analysing the relationship between the State and the chiefs by considering indicators of sovereignty drawn from constitutional and legislative instruments, most notably the right or ability to determine chiefly status, as well as evidence of challenges to peace and State security resulting from a number of chieftaincy disputes which erupted into violence during the period December 1993 to August 1994. Research included fieldwork in Ghana in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992 and 1994. Bibliogr., notes, ref. |