"We Are Traditional Leaders, Not Chiefs": Nene Konor II Proposes Structural Change at 133rd Ngmayem Festival

The President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Manye Krobo Traditional Council, Nene Konor II, has called for a change in the official title used to describe traditional rulers in Ghana.

He wants the term ‘chiefs’ replaced with ‘traditional leaders’, arguing that the latter better reflects their cultural identity, customary authority and role in society.

Making the call at the 133rd Ngmayem Festival held at the Lasi Oklepemekuku Park, Nene Konor II declared that traditional rulers should no longer be referred to simply as chiefs. “We are traditional leaders, not chiefs. I do not want us to continue being called chiefs. We should be recognised as traditional leaders,” he said.

He explained that the word ‘chief’ was also used in various administrative positions, including Chief Director and Chief Executive, and argued that traditional rulers should have a distinct title that reflects their traditional authority.

Nene Konor II disclosed that he would take up the matter with the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and seek to have the proposal forwarded to the National House of Chiefs for consideration.

As part of the proposed change, he wants the National House of Chiefs renamed the National House of Traditional Leaders. The proposal, if accepted, would bring a significant change to the country's traditional leadership structure, particularly in the official terminology used to identify traditional rulers and their representative institutions.

The statement was made during this year's Ngmayem Festival, which brought together traditional rulers from across Dangme land to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Manye Krobo people.

Nene Konor II expressed hope that the regional and national houses would give the proposal the necessary attention and consider adopting the new designation.