Article Sidebar

Download
View Full Article XML S.I.S
Statistic
Read Counter : 171 Download : 29

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Main Article Content

Abstract

This study investigates the role of traditional leadership in fostering change management and social development in the Techiman Traditional Area of Ghana. Traditional leaders, encompassing chiefs, queen mothers, and elders, have long served as custodians of culture, mediators in conflict, and advocates for community welfare. Using a positivist research approach and a quantitative design, this study employed structured surveys to collect data from 96 traditional leaders, including divisional chiefs, queen mothers, and community elders. The analysis focused on traditional leadership components, such as cultural custodianship, spiritual leadership, resource management, and social order, assessing their impact on change management and social development initiatives. Results reveal high mean scores for social order (4.0646) and health development (4.0437), indicating that traditional leaders are viewed as effective in maintaining justice, social harmony, and improving healthcare services. Correlation analysis shows a significant positive relationship between change management and resource management (r = .742, p < 0.01), underscoring the importance of efficient resource utilization in implementing community changes. However, the study found moderate effectiveness in change implementation (mean = 3.1183), highlighting challenges in executing change strategies due to resource limitations. Findings suggest that integrating traditional and formal governance structures could enhance social development outcomes, with formal institutions providing logistical support for traditional leaders. This study positions traditional leadership as a hybrid governance model that not only preserves cultural heritage but also addresses contemporary development needs, offering insights for policymakers and development practitioners aiming to leverage traditional authority for sustainable community transformation.

Keywords

Traditional Leadership Change Management Social Development Resource Management Hybrid Governance Model

Article Details

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Appiah Kubi, R., & Korang, V. . (2024). The Role of Traditional Leadership in Facilitating Change Management and Social Development: A Case Study of the Techiman Traditional Area. Convergence Chronicles, 5(6), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.53075/Ijmsirq/6558967569
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

  1. Agyeman, V. (2017). Traditional governance and natural resource management in Africa. Environmental Governance Journal, 6(3), 125-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envgov.2017.06.004
  2. Amanor, K. S. (2008). The changing face of customary land tenure in Ghana. Africa, 78(1), 55-75. https://doi.org/10.3366/e0001972008000040
  3. Amanor-Lartey, E. (2020). The role of traditional leaders in peace and conflict management in Ghana. Conflict Studies Quarterly, 35, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.11588/csq.2020.1.32110
  4. Anyidoho, N. A., & Crawford, G. (2014). Leveraging traditional leadership for development in Ghana. Community Development Journal, 49(2), 212-227. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bst019
  5. Asunka, J. (2017). Traditional leadership and community-based health interventions in rural Ghana. Public Health Studies, 15(1), 77-92. https://doi.org/10.1093/phs/ptw018
  6. Awuah, K. G., Enu-Kwesi, F., & Kuffuor, T. (2019). Traditional leadership and the promotion of educational development in Ghana. Journal of Educational Development in Africa, 23(4), 421-436. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2019.1569712
  7. Ayee, J. R. A. (2018). Traditional authority and governance in Ghana. Journal of African Governance Studies, 19(2), 142-158. https://doi.org/10.1080/09720667.2018.1455678
  8. Boamah, F. (2020). The role of customary leaders in environmental conservation in Ghana. African Journal of Environmental Policy, 32(3), 189-201. https://doi.org/10.1080/09720667.2020.1234512
  9. Chilisa, B., & Tsheko, G. N. (2014). Mixed methods in Indigenous research: Building relationships for sustainable intervention outcomes. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 8(3), 222-233. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689814527878
  10. Dankwa, G. (2020). Traditional leadership in modern Africa: The case of Ghana. Leadership Studies, 15(4), 301-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/15475778.2020.1789056
  11. Fayemi, A. K., & Ayo, F. O. (2009). Traditional African worldview and the ethical challenges of climate change in Nigeria. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 2(9), 219-232. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137273029_8
  12. Gibson, T. (2019). Leadership and change management in an African context. Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 19(3), 12-21. https://doi.org/10.4236/gjmb.2019.93002
  13. Gyasi, R. M., & Phillips, D. R. (2018). Healthcare dynamics and traditional leaders in Ghana. Health Policy and Planning, 33(6), 749-758. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czy038
  14. Hammond, D., & Antwi-Boasiako, K. B. (2017). Traditional institutions and governance in Africa: The Ghanaian perspective. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 7(3), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v7i3.11550
  15. Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
  16. Kusimba, S. B. (2017). African traditional authority and development. African Studies Quarterly, 14(4), 26-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-017-9482-1
  17. Logan, C. (2013). The roots of resilience: Exploring popular support for African traditional authorities. African Affairs, 112(448), 353-376. https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adt017
  18. Mamdani, M. (1996). Citizen and subject: Contemporary Africa and the legacy of late colonialism. Princeton University Press.
  19. Mensah, A., & Fening, D. (2019). The involvement of traditional leaders in local governance: Insights from Ghana. Ghana Journal of Political Science, 21(1), 35-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972262918814031
  20. Mwaura, P. K. (2018). Customary leadership and natural resource conservation in Kenya and Ghana. Environmental Conservation Journal, 45(2), 139-150. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0376892918000127
  21. Ntsebeza, L. (2005). Democracy compromised: Chiefs and the politics of land in South Africa. Brill.
  22. Osei-Tutu, J., & Ankrah, N. (2019). Hybrid governance in Ghana: Perspectives on community development. Development in Practice, 29(1), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2018.1535224
  23. Owusu-Mensah, I., Bonsu, K. A., & Frempong, M. (2019). Traditional authority and rural development in Ghana: The case of Akan chiefdoms. Rural Development Journal, 22(2), 85-102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-019-0982
  24. Ray, D. I. (2003). Chiefs in their millennium sandals: Traditional authority in Ghana. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 21(2), 123-144. https://doi.org/10.1080/02589000305450
  25. Tubey, R., Rotich, G., & Bengat, J. (2015). Research paradigms: Theory and practice. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(7), 224-228.
  26. Wiredu, K. (2019). Traditional authority and justice systems in Ghana. Journal of African Law, 63(2), 223-240. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0021855319000121
  27. Yeboah-Assiamah, E., Asamoah, K., & Osei-Kojo, A. (2016). Towards an integrated framework for traditional and modern governance in Ghana. Journal of Modern African Studies, 54(3), 375-400. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022278x16000235