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© University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui © Vincent Assanful University of Cape Coast Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS ASSIN RELIGION IN THE PRACTICES OF INHERITANCE AND SUCCESSION OF THE ASSIN BY VINCENT ASSANFUL Thesis submitted to the Department of Religion and Human Values, Faculty of Arts, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, University of Cape Coast, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy degree in Religion and Human Values. AUGUST 2017 Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui DECLARATION Candidate’s Declaration I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own original work and that no part of it has been presented for another degree in this university or elsewhere Candidate’s Signature: ……………………… Date: …………………… Name: VINCENT ASSANFUL Supervisors’ Declaration We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of the thesis were supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of thesis laid down by the University of Cape Coast. Principal Supervisor’s Signature: …………………… Date: ……………… Name: Co-Supervisor’s Signature: ………………………. Date: ………………… Name: ii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui ABSTRACT This thesis examined the influence of the Indigenous Assin Religion (IAR) on the inheritance and succession practices of the Assin. The purpose was to establish the link between the IAR and the inheritance and succession practices and find out whether the presence or absence of the influence of the IAR has affected these practices. The research was conducted in four selected towns. Using an interpretative paradigm mainly semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussions, the study was intended to investigate the role of IAR on the inheritance and succession practices of the Assin. The study revealed a strong link between IAR and inheritance and succession practices of the Assin. The study, however, revealed some changes in the inheritance and succession practices. The practice whereby the spouses and their children were considered not part of the lineage of the deceased person and thus were denied a share of the self-acquired properties of the deceased person no longer holds. Also, on the succession practices, a key finding was that the enactment of the Chieftaincy Act (Act 759) and the process started to codify the lines of succession to stools and skins could lead to succession disputes being settled amicably. The study recommended that traditional authorities be encouraged to remove those cultural practices that are inimical to the wellbeing of widows. Also, it was recommended that the codification of lines of customary rules of succession be expedited to cover the whole country since this study believe would help in dealing with any succession dispute that may arise. iii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui KEY WORDS Assin Indigenous Inheritance Matrilineal Religion Succession iv Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In the preparation of this thesis a lot of people assisted me and deserves to be acknowledged. I would like to express my profound gratitude to Prof. Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye and Rev. Prof. Benjamin Abotchie Ntreh, my Principal Supervisor and Co-Supervisor respectively, for their invaluable advice, corrections and contributions towards the success of this thesis. I am indebted to all my key informants who took time off their busy schedule to meet with me and provide valuable information for my thesis. My special thanks go to {d]fo[ Kwantwi Barima, the Acting President of the Assin Attandasu Traditional Area, Nana Abena Gyamfua II, Omanhemaa of Assin Attandasu Traditional Area and their elders. I also thank Nana Afikurah III, chief of Kona Abusua, Assin Kumasi, Nana Dokuaa, Obaahemaa of Asokore Kona Abusua, Assin Kumasi, Nana Ampomah and Abusuapanyin Kwame Affum all of Assin Ochiso. Also, the late Abusuapanyin Kwesi Intsiful who at the age 106 still had the strength to speak with me. I will like to thank all those widows in Assin Ochiso and Assin Kumasi who agreed to share their stories with me. Their stories helped in enriching my work. I am equally grateful to the staff of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, especially Mr. Mamah for his assistance. I am also grateful to Dr. Yaw Sarkodie Agyemang for being my academic mentor and a friend. I appreciate your pieces of advice and encouragements. My sincere appreciation also goes to Rev. Prof. Eric Bortey Anum for his encouraging words and his confidence reposed in me. My thanks again go to Mr. Augustine Brefoh for facilitating my meeting with the widows at Assin Ochiso and also, my Teaching Assistants, Richard and Prince for their help. v Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui Finally, my thanks go to my family, especially my wife, Akosua, for their immense support and contributions to the preparation of this thesis. In acknowledging and thanking all these people, I take full responsibility for the contents of this thesis. vi Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui DEDICATION To My Parents, Osofo Kobina Assanful and Oheneba Mfumwaa Assanful vii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DECLARATION ii ABSTRACT iii KEY WORDS iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v DEDICATION vii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES xii LIST OF ACRONYMS xiii GLOSSARY OF ASSIN (TWI) WORDS xiv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background to the Study 1 Motivation for the Study 9 Statement of the Problem 11 Aims and Objectives 13 Research Questions 13 Purpose of the Study 14 Significance of the Study 14 Delimitation 15 Limitation 15 Theoretical Framework 16 Research Methodology 19 Ethical Consideration 33 Literature Review 34 Definition of Terms 66 viii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui Organisation of the Study 69 Chapter Summary 71 CHAPTER TWO: ORIGINS AND THE RELIGIO-SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE ASSIN Introduction 72 Origins of the people 72 Language 77 Geographical Location of the Assin 78 Physical Characteristics of the Area (Climate and Vegetation) 79 Local Economy 80 Social Structure of the Assin 80 Conclusion 88 CHAPTER THREE: WORLDVIEW, CUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE ASSIN Introduction 89 Worldview 89 Sacred Hierarchy of the Assin Indigenous Religion 94 Assin Concept of the Person and its Implication for Inheritance and Succession 113 Social Institutions 115 Marriage 126 Chapter Summary 140 CHAPTER FOUR: INDIGENOUS ASSIN RELIGION AND INHERITANCE Introduction 141 ix Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui Inheritance Practices of the Assin 141 Indigenous Assin Religion in the Inheritance Practices of the Assin 142 Widowhood rites and place of widows in the matrilineal kinship system 148 Knowledge of legislations on inheritance by the community and widows 163 Chapter Summary 167 CHAPTER FIVE: INDIGENOUS ASSIN RELIGION AND SUCCESSION Introduction 169 Nomination of an Ɔdehye (Royal) 170 Enstoolment rites 180 Chapter Summary 189 CHAPTER SIX: CHANGES IN INHERITANCE AND SUCCESSION PRACTICES OF THE ASSIN Introduction 191 Changes in Inheritance Practices 192 Customary Law and Inheritance Practices 194 Role of the Courts in Inheritance Disputes 196 Will’s Act, 1971 (Act 360) 204 Intestate Succession Law (PNDCL 111) 208 Changes in Customary Succession to Stools 212 Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) 213 Codification of Lines of Succession 217 Chapter Summary 218 x Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui CHAPTER SEVEN: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction 220 Overview of thesis objectives 220 Summary of research findings 221 Conclusions 227 Recommendations 230 References 232 Appendix A: List of interviewees 251 Appendix B: Semi-structured interview guide 253 xi Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Tables Table1: Breakdown of Sample Population 29 Table2:The Eight Assin Abusua and their Totems 116 Figures Figure 1: Map of Assin South District and Assin North Municipality 78 Figure 2: Akyisu Afua Stream in Assin Kumasi 100 Figure 3: Focus Group Discussion with some widows in Assin Kumasi 152 Figure 4: Central Regional House of Chiefs 214 xii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui LIST OF ACRONYMS ASDA Assin South District Assembly ATR African Traditional Religion BDPA Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action CRHC Central Regional House of Chiefs FGD Focus Group Discussion GNA Ghana News Agency GSS Ghana Statistical Service IAR Indigenous Assn Religion MCTA Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs NHC National House of Chiefs PRAAD Public Records and Archive Administration Department PNDC Provisional National Defence Council UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights UNCRC United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child UNDP United Nations Development Program WiLDAF Women in Law and Development Africa CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all forms Discrimination Against Women xiii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui GLOSSARY