Political Organisation of Ghanaians before Colonial rule

It has been asserted by  writers that Africans were without any form of government before the coming of the Europeans.

However,a critical view showed that Africans were under under government especially the Akans in Ghana and Yoruba in Nigeria.

Before Ghana came under British Rule as one colonial administrative unit, it comprised of many states and Kingdoms which were actively independent of one another.

Bono, Asante, Denkyira,Akwamu and Akyem were large and Powerful vassals.

It was this political situation which influenced the adoption of different traditional states and Kingdoms.

The traditional administrative system adopted were Centrallised states, Stateless or non centrallized Societies and Theocracies.

Under the centrallised state system, authority was vested in a single authority. Being the governing authority,laws, policies and decisions pertaining to war come from the end.

That is to say the local wings were responsible to the central authority.

A very good example is of centrallised state is the Kingdom of Asante.

Another System of government that existed in pre- colonial apart from the centrallised was non centrallised.

There were essentially not certain as the Akan.

This States include Sissala,Chamba,Nafeba,Tallensi among others, they were not having Central administrative unit and power who will purposely manage the affairs of the inhabitants.

They were led by Family and Clan heads and the head of all was “Tindana” who was regarded as the custodian owner of the land.

Among the Tallensi core group, they were categorised into two groups namely, the “Namoos” and Talis.

The “Namoos” have organised system of chieftaincy, political office where as the Talis have The Tindana.

Some of the northern states were organised with one leader as their political and spiritual head who served as the intermediary between the people and the gods and administer justice among his people.

The Mole Dagbani kingdom comprises of the Dagomba,Nanunmba,Mamprusi and Mossi Kingdom which is found in Burkina Faso.

Upon their migration from Nigeria, they they were led by Na Gbewa and first settled in Pusiga and gradually moved to their parents days. He was the head of the Mole Dagbani kingdom

Another State that existed was Theoracy system.This system of political governance was practicing by the Gas and the Krobos.Their leaders were priest and Priestess who served as political, Military and spiritual leaders in their localities.

They formulate and implement laws in the territories.

Chiefs and political leaders reduced upon the introduction of Colonial rule in the Country