President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to codify chieftaincy succession processes in the Upper West Region as part of efforts to reduce disputes and promote lasting peace in traditional areas.

Speaking when members of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 8, the President said documenting royal families, succession gates and rotational arrangements would provide greater clarity in the selection of chiefs and help prevent succession-related conflicts.

He commended the Regional House of Chiefs for its role in maintaining peace in the Upper West Region, particularly at a time when parts of the Sahel continue to face insecurity.

"Peace remains the foundation of prosperity, and I commend the Regional House of Chiefs for its role in keeping the Upper West as one of Ghana's most peaceful regions amid the instability in the wider Sahel area," he said.

President Mahama, however, said there was a need to formalise succession arrangements to address recurring disputes over the installation of traditional leaders.

"But like the President of the House of Chiefs said, we should continue and go ahead to codify the succession. Nowadays, the kingmakers have become corrupt. And so, even though they know who is the rightful person, a big envelope can change their minds," he stated.

The President expressed concern that financial inducements have, in some cases, influenced traditional succession processes, resulting in the selection of individuals who are not legitimate members of the appropriate royal families.

"They go and bring somebody who has absolutely nothing to do with the royal family and want to install the person as the leader of the traditional area. And that is what creates the conflicts," he said.

According to President Mahama, a codified succession system would clearly identify the recognised royal families, succession gates and the rotational order for occupying stools and skins, thereby reducing uncertainty in the selection process.

He expressed confidence that the reforms would help minimise chieftaincy disputes and strengthen peace across traditional areas.

"If we codify the families and the various gates and the rotational succession, we should have more peace in this country than we have seen lately," he added.