The Ghana Month on Joy Prime began with a breathtaking display of tradition as the Prime Morning presenters, KMJ and Roselyn Felli, made a grand entrance, carried on palanquins amidst the rhythmic beats of traditional drumming and dancing.

The colourful Kente-clad hosts were surrounded by cultural troupes, singing praises, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of royal processions in Ghanaian chieftaincy.

The celebration did not end with the procession. Esteemed chiefs and queen mothers were hosted in the studio to shed light on ‘Royal Processions and Chieftaincy.’

They delved into the significance of traditional leadership in Ghana and how the rites have evolved over the years. The participating traditional leaders shared how chiefs and queen mothers enstoolment has evolved over the years.

Unlike the past, where a person was chosen without his or her knowledge, they stated that currently, all potential leaders are well informed before the process begins.

Nana Ansah Kwao IV, who spoke on the topic, explained the need for an individual to be properly informed to know if they are interested in being traditional leaders or not.

“Before the days of formalisation, when we had formal school and work, and you know, one way or the other, you’re serving the nation. So, if I wanted you to become a chief in Adumasa, I couldn’t just grab you off the street and say, go and serve. But then when everybody just had their communion farms or little canoes, then the call of duty of your family or town superseded whatever it is that you were doing, and so you could be grabbed at any time that stopped whatever you were doing and went and served your town. But now, somebody could be the IGP who is serving even bigger than the Republic of Adumasa. Hence, he has an excuse, and we would have to ask if indeed the person is ready to do it,” the Adumasa chief explained.

The queen mother of Sokpoe Traditional Area in the Volta region, Mamaga Adzesu, also highlighted the enstoolment procedure for queen mothers.

“Before somebody is enstooled as a queen mother, they have to consult the clan. So, the family heads would have to consult the other families so that they select the appropriate person who is supposed to be enstooled as the queen mother. When that person is selected, she is brought to me to be introduced as the person that we would want to enstool. Gone are the days when the person is not aware, and then all of a sudden the person is chosen and powder is sprinkled on her, but nowadays, we have to inform the person for her to be aware and to know if the person wants to before she is enstooled as a queen mother.”

The launch has set the pace for a month-long celebration of Ghana’s diverse heritage. With traditional music, cultural showcases, and enlightening discussions lined up, viewers can expect an exciting and educational experience throughout March.