The Divisional Chief of Esiama Ellebelle, Nana Ainoo Kwagyan III, has expressed concern over the rising costs associated with chieftaincy in Ghana.

According to him, what was once a service driven by joy and communal spirit has now transformed into an expensive endeavour, making it difficult for those without significant financial resources to participate.

“People served out of joy in the past, but now everything is about money. Chieftaincy has become expensive; you can’t be part of it if you don’t have money.

The Otumfuo visited Berekum. Transporting his followers to Berekum is very expensive. You need to rent buses and feed them. The crowd that will go is a lot of money,” he stated in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Monday.

Nana Ainoo Kwagyan III also contrasted chieftaincy with governmental positions, noting that while governance often grants access to national wealth, chiefs face significant financial and legal challenges.

“Chieftaincy is not like governance where the country’s wealth is yours when you come into power. The lands that people claim belong to chiefs come with unnecessary litigations. So, before a chief ascends the throne, he needs to prepare himself both physically and spiritually to be able to sit on the seat,” he added.

Play the attached audio below: