Africa’s Growth Hinges Upon Its Traditional System- Asantehene

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has said that the traditional system is a helpful form of government for Africa.

Defining the boundary between the political system and that of the traditional in his keynote address at the St Andrew Africa Summit in Scotland on September 16 2023, the King of the Asante Kingdom said, as the political system obstructs binding energy, the traditional system rather clears a way for development.

He said:

“Indeed, there are many who now believe our problems require the pulling together of all available talent and human resources but regrettably recognize that the realities of party politics make it impossible to achieve.”

Otumfuo added that, the political system focuses on winning and holding political control over the public interest.

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This, His Highness expressed, brings to light; the customary system which provides the platform for greater collaboration in the process of decision-making on critical economic issues for management which overcomes the sensitivities of partisan politics.

“Surely, in a truly African setting, this is not impossible to contemplate,” he asserted.

“Another advantage of the traditional system, lies in the fact that 80% of the population of Africa lives in the rural areas and their primary loyalty to “this mammoth community” continues to be with their chiefs”.

“Inevitably, their leadership (chiefs) is critical in the quest for the development and prosperity of any country. And, contrary to the misconceptions of the times, the evidence is that wherever traditional leadership is strong, they are able to maintain peace and national cohesion.”