International Human Rights, Religious Pluralism and the Future of Chieftaincy in Ghana
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11287338 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Abamfo Ofori Atiemo (0000-0002-8725-2328, corresponding author), Abamfo Atiemo |
| Year | 2006 |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 360-382 |
| Publication date | 2006-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Exchange (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0166-2740 • E-ISSN: 1572-543X |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/157254306780016140 |
| OpenAlex | W2081074476 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
A revolutionary development that resulted from Africa's experience of colonialism was the emergence of the nation-state made up of previously separate ethnic states. By the end of the colonial period the rulers of these ethnic states — the chiefs — had lost most of their real political and judicial powers to the political leaders of the new nation-states. But in spite of the loss of effective political power the chiefs continued to wield moral influence over members of their ethnic groups. The limited reach of the nation-state in the post-colonial era has also meant a dependence on the chiefs, in many cases, for aspects of local governance. This, for example, is the case of Ghana. However, in the modern context of religious pluralism the intimate bond between the chiefs and the traditional religion exacerbates tension in situations of conflict between people's loyalty to the traditional state and their religious commitment. In some cases, chiefs invoke customary laws in attempt to enforce sanctions against individuals who refuse to observe certain customary practices for religious reasons. But this has implications for the human rights of citizens. This article discusses the implications of this situation for the future of chieftaincy as well as prospects for the protection of the human rights of citizens who for religious reasons choose to stay away from certain communal customary practices
Colonialism · Ethnic group · Human rights · Legal pluralism · Pluralism (philosophy · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Religious pluralism · Sanctions · Sociology · State (computer science · Law · Religion and Sociopolitical Dynamics in Nigeria · Religion, Society, and Development
The Sacred Nature of the Akan Chief and its Implications for Tradition, Modernity and Religious Human Rights in Ghana
Witchcraft and Violence in Ghana
Thou shalt not worship idols
Religious Conversion, Proselytization, and the Marginalisation of Indigenous Religions in Ghana
When the Deities Visit forHɔmɔwɔ
The potential of indigenous religious ecologies for environmental conservation in contemporary Ghana
Biting the hand that feeds them? The case of Ghanaian Pentecostal discourse on ‘breaking from the past’”
| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,5 |
| Citation span | 2012 - 2024 (13) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |