The role of indigenous Assin religion in the practices of inheritance and succession of the Assin

Abstract

This thesis examined the influence of the Indigenous Assin Religion (IAR) on the inheritance and succession practices of the Assin. The purpose was to establish the link between the IAR and the inheritance and succession practices and find out whether the presence or absence of the influence of the IAR has affected these practices. The research was conducted in four selected towns. Using an interpretative paradigm mainly semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussions, the study was intended to investigate the role of IAR on the inheritance and succession practices of the Assin. The study revealed a strong link between IAR and inheritance and succession practices of the Assin. The study, however, revealed some changes in the inheritance and succession practices. The practice whereby the spouses and their children were considered not part of the lineage of the deceased person and thus were denied a share of the self-acquired properties of the deceased person no longer holds. Also, on the succession practices, a key finding was that the enactment of the Chieftaincy Act (Act 759) and the process started to codify the lines of succession to stools and skins could lead to succession disputes being settled amicably. The study recommended that traditional authorities be encouraged to remove those cultural practices that are inimical to the wellbeing of widows. Also, it was recommended that the codification of lines of customary rules of succession be expedited to cover the whole country since this study believe would help in dealing with any succession dispute that may arise.