24/06/2025
The CEO of Samanpiid TV Mashwal Skulfiz Ndego writes;
SAFEGUARDING TRADITION:
The Proper Process for Selecting/Enskinment of the Greater Accra Kusaas Chief
The process of selecting a chief to lead the Kusaasi people in the Greater Accra Region is not merely a political or social exercise, it is a deeply cultural and spiritual responsibility. It is, therefore, commendable that the current leadership, led by the Greater Accra Kusaas chiefs, has established a committee made up of eminent and highly respected personalities who are well-grounded in the tradition, customs, and leadership structures of Kusaug.
This committee has diligently taken all aspirants through a transparent and comprehensive process, culminating in the final vetting stage. It is now time for the committee to consolidate their findings and submit/consult the Kusaug Traditional Council with the guidance of our Overlord in selecting the individual who has demonstrated the intellectual acumen, cultural grounding, and leadership prowess necessary to carry the weighty mantle of the Greater Accra Kusaas namship .
Though the Accra chieftaincy may be considered an ambassadorial title, it is by no means devoid of traditional legitimacy. Any decision on this matter must be rooted in the cultural and traditional frameworks of Kusaug and must be made in consultation with the Kusaug Traditional Council and under the guidance and blessings of our father, grandfather, and Overlord, Pariyaล Gandabirig, Zug-Raan Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II.
The individual who is selected will not simply serve as a figurehead; he will represent the spirit, dignity, and authority of the Zug-Raan in the Greater Accra Region. He will act as a guardian of the customs and values of Kusaug and a beacon of unity for the over 10,000 Kusaas residing in the region.
As tradition dictates, the enskinment of any Kusaasi chief whether divisional or otherwise, must follow established customs. We recall, for instance, the recent enskinment of the UK/Ireland Kusaas chief, which was done in full consultation with the Kusaug Traditional Council and under the wise counsel of the Zug-Raan. That process serves as a model for how our traditions should be upheld in the diaspora and within Ghana.
It is, therefore, concerning and misleading for some to suggest that the Kusaas Youth in Accra have the autonomous right to select who leads us. Such a claim raises critical questions:
1. Will a youth-appointed chief work in harmony with the Zug-Raan and the Traditional Council?
2. Does this process reflect the sacred values and protocols that define chieftaincy in Kusaug?
Across African traditional systems, and indeed among our sister tribes from Northern Ghana, youth do not select or enskin chiefs. It would be both untraditional and unwise to assume that young people, however passionate or well-meaning, are clothed with the cultural and spiritual authority to determine leadership for an entire people.
Let us not subject our sacred institution to ridicule. Imagine the confusion and loss of respect if word were to spread that a youth group, through voting or acclamation, appointed a chief for the Kusaas in Accra. This would not only be unprecedented but would also expose our revered customs to mockery from outsiders who understand and respect traditional authority.
The only role the youth may play in the chieftaincy structure is within youth-related functions (like the Nakinnaab), not in the selection of the overall leader of the tribe. The youth may have interest and support various candidates but cannot be the final determiner or the decider. It is only the Zug-Raan, in consultation with his council of chiefs and elders including those in Accra and the diaspora, who possess the traditional mandate to select and enskin a chief.
We, therefore, call on all Kusaas in Accra and beyond to respect the process. Let us support our chiefs and elders to carry out their sacred duty of selecting someone who embodies the spirit, intelligence, and strength to lead not only the Kusaas in Accra but also represent the broader interests of the Kusaug Traditional Area and the Zug-Raan.
Let us embrace unity and tradition. Whoever is selected must be supported, defended, and uplifted by all of us to ensure that he becomes a strong pillar of representation and leadership. Our strength as a people lies in our unity, respect for tradition, and our unwavering loyalty to the Zug-Raan and the customs of our ancestors.
May wisdom guide our elders and the selection committee. May peace prevail in our selection. And may the Kusaug spirit shine ever brighter in Accra and beyond.
Tiษล Naab Amalสg Akสza'as Ndego
(Culture, Tradition, Art and Entertainment Ambassador - Kusaug Diษma Naab)
