A founding member of the faculty of law at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Phillip Ebow Bondzi Simpson is warning against the  weakening chieftaincy institution.

He said the weak local government system does not only pose a threat to development but also retards progress of communities in the country.

“Chieftaincy and local government is weak, therefore the governance at the levels where we live is weak and we experience it every day.”

According to him, the two systems that are supposed to serve as a catalyst for development of the various communities have only been decorated to satisfy some desires to the detriment of the local people.

Speaking at his inaugural lecture at UCC, Prof Bondzi Simpson cited the restrictions on the powers of chiefs to perform certain roles and functions in the communities as contributory factors to the sanitation challenges and development gaps.

“Filth in our communities, the break out of communicable diseases and the noise pollution are only examples to show that there is not real control.”

The phenomenon according to him, has led to a situation where chiefs have been reduced to ceremonial figures that are adorned to signify their area of jurisdiction.

“The chieftaincy institution until today had been adorned, decorated, beautified exalted but it has diminished.”

He said the local government does not perform the functions for which it was set up and has allowed central government operations to take over its duties..

The law professor also made reference to the recent Supreme Court decision where chiefs no longer have powers to summon anyone before them hinting that is likely to weaken the institution all the more.

He said the system which allow harmonious development has been undermined by the political class.