The Akan inheritance system is one of the best in the world - Nana Kɔbena Footwe

As part of efforts to educate Ghanaians on their heritage during Ghana Month, Mr. Peter Alexander Hope, also known as Nana Kɔbena Footwe, a retired lecturer from the Department of Ghanaian Languages and Linguistics at the University of Cape Coast, has shared insightful perspectives on the Akan inheritance system.

In a one-on-one interview with DC Kwame Kwakye on GBC Radio Central’s Morning Show on Monday, March 17, 2025, Mr. Hope described the Akan inheritance system as one of the most effective, arguing that it is carefully structured to serve both the living and the dead. He emphasized that inheritance is solely determined by the family. "The family members of the deceased decide who takes over from the dead, and no one else – not even the deceased person while alive – can dictate who takes over when he or she expires," stressed Nana Footwe.

The chosen inheritor assumes responsibility for managing and overseeing the deceased’s property. Their role is to ensure that the proceeds benefit the surviving spouse, children, and family members as needed.

Explaining the distinction between an inheritor and a will beneficiary, Mr. Hope pointed out that while beneficiaries of a will remain unchanged, an inheritor is appointed by the family. Unlike will beneficiaries, who are designated by the property owner, an inheritor is chosen to fulfill the social and leadership duties the deceased once performed, preventing any disruption in family affairs.

Nana Footwe argued that the Akan governance system was originally well-structured and served its people effectively. However, he attributed the decline in its effectiveness to human factors. "It's not the culture, which is bad, but rather the greed and selfishness of some current leaders that have corrupted our system, not the culture itself," he affirmed.

On preserving the integrity of the inheritance system, he stressed the importance of passing down knowledge to younger generations, ensuring the continuation of these traditional structures.

The negative perception surrounding inheritance, he noted, has been worsened by the greed and selfishness of some inheritors, along with weak leadership among family heads. To address these issues, the Interstate Succession Law was enacted to prevent unscrupulous individuals from unfairly taking control of a deceased person’s assets at the expense of their surviving spouse and children.

"If the Akan inheritance is properly implemented, there would be no need for laws governing inheritance. It curtails greed, selfishness, and ensures sane continuity of the deceased's life," he stated.