Pruning The Culture Tree of Ghana

The objectives of this book are in two parts. The first is to map out the legal powers of the chief to “interpret” or “reinterpret” customary law and the second is to look at the benefits of using a consultative process by chiefs to “interpret” or “re-interpret” widowhood rites to conform to constitutional and international standards of development of the person. Women have been socially excluded due to the discriminatory cultural practice of widowhood rites and that the chief should be able to use his privileged position in the community setting through a consultative process to guarantee the rights of the woman. Arguments in this book are baby steps to bridging the gap between the traditional set up and the constitutional arrangements that the people including chiefs have agreed to as the fundamental law of the land. Part one of this book concentrates on widowhood rites- a description of the practice, the rationale and the implications of these rites on Mamprusi women. Part two maps the powers of the chief under the Mamprusi customary law and state law. Part three brings out the possibility of the Nayiri and his subordinate chiefs being change agents in the Mamprusi community.