The Political System of the Guan
The Guan people can be located at Winneba, Akuapem Ridge, Anum, Akrupong, among others. The Guan political system was theocratic with the following characteristics.
1. Non-Centralized system of administration
The Guan had no centralized states. The Guan did not unite and therefore considered each Guan states as independent of another. According to Reindorf, the Guan were not governed by “any principal man” but every town had its ruler. Each Guan state was also made up of independent clans each under its own head.
2. Traditional Priests/Priestesses
The Guan states were ruled by traditional priests and priestesses who exercised both political and religious functions. They controlled the shrines and wielded great political power. They were thus regarded as king-priest. For example, Abiriw by the priest of Bosompra.
3. Rule by Chiefs
The Guan were later ruled by both a chief and a priest due to the influence of the Akan. However, the sacred office of a priest was separated from that of a chief.
4. Council of Elders
Another important political feature of the Guan was that the various clan heads of each state formed the council of elders. This council of elders assisted the chiefs to make laws and decisions. They also served as advisors to the chiefs.
5. Existence of Courts
The existence of
court also form part of the Guan political system. The chief had the power to
judge cases himself and again exercised the function of the final court of
appeal.
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