Chief calls for review of interstate succession law

Nkoranza (B/A), May 15, (Credit Adu Simon) GNA - Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo II, Omanhene of Kokofu in Ashanti Region, has suggested a revision of the intestate succession law (PNDC law III) and said it was creating divisions among families. He said the system, which allowed widows or spouses and their children to own the larger part of the property of the deceased, had prevented collaboration among family members.

Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo made the suggestion in an address to about 100 traditional rulers and heads of departments in Nkoranza Traditional Area at a one day workshop at Nkoranza. The workshop was aimed at educating the participants about the Ascertainment of the Customary Law (ACL) project. "Even though the system enables spouses and their children to enjoy a fair share of the property of their parents, it has prevented family members and relations to join hands to do things in common towards the upkeep of extended families," he said. The chief said a second look at the system would enable families to remain united to establish the necessary legacies for the benefit of posterity.

Nana Barima Offe Okogyeasuo explained that the ACL project was aimed at drawing the attention of chiefs to the most lost customary laws so they could come out with ideas and views towards the implementation of a common law on land and family management. He expressed concern about how the youth had developed greater interest in foreign culture and customs to the detriment of the Ghanaian culture and called on traditional rulers and family heads to educate the youth on the importance of indigenous culture and to practice it. The chief said it was improper for traditional lands to be offered for sale and that they should be rented so that traditional authorities would remain as custodians. Mr. Thomas Tagoe, national research coordinator of the ACL project, said the output of the project would lead to a documentation of customary laws for application by the courts, academic institutions and communities. He said the project would help investors obtain parcels of land for development programmes, strengthen the national legal system and minimize land disputes.