Traditional Leaders’ And Local Government In Tamale Metropolis: Land Development At The Cross Road

ABSTRACT

The concept of decentralization essentially is about public administration that is based on local government at the local level. Ghana has been practicing local government which has been embraced generally by the citizenry. The study examined the roles traditional leaders play in local government system in the Tamale Metropolis. A triangulation approach was used for the study and both primary and secondary data were collected. Questionnaire and interview guide were used with a sample of 198 respondents was used in the gathering of data. Tables were generated through the analysis of the data. The findings revealed that the marginalization of traditional leaders’ in local level development in the Tamale Metropolis is attributable to local government in the Tamale Metropolis. It also found out that traditional leaders have not been effectively involved in the local government system, except during local elections. The study found out that the people supported that the allocation of communal lands to individuals and the rights and duties connected to land allocation are among the traditional functions of traditional authorities within the Tamale metropolis. The study recommends that there should be a working relationship between government institutions and the local stakeholders. Therefore, opportunity must be given to all to participate in the local government system especially the traditional authorities. It further recommended that the state should take a second look at the constitution to give a mandatory representation of traditional leaders in the MMDAs.