Information on the person that succeeded Nana Kwaku Duah (an Akan traditional chief) of Bonwire after his death in May 1993 is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa. According to a professor of political science at Bennet College in Greensboro, North Carolina, Bonwire is a village in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and is well-known in Ghana for its traditional cloth (Kente) weaving industry (6 May 1994). The professor was not aware of the death of the chief of Bonwire in May 1993. He explained that the chief of Bonwire, in Akan and Ashanti traditions, while important as a chief, is not a paramount chief or king, and the Ghanaian press may not find his death newsworthy to the nation (ibid.).

The professor mentioned that, in terms of traditional Akan inheritance, nephews have a primary right over sons in inheriting an uncle's estate. However, that may not necessarily be the case regarding "chieftaincy inheritance." In Akan tradition, nephews do not automatically inherit un uncle's chieftaincy. Chiefs are selected by "kingmakers" from among families in the community and the choice normally falls on the person considered to be the most appropriate for the position. The community, through the "kingmakers," decides on who is or is not "appropriate." However, if no appropriate person is found, then it is possible that the nephew of the deceased may be selected. Under the circumstances, the professor explained, even a son can be selected as the most appropriate person for the position (ibid.). The DIRB is unable to corroborate the professor's information at the present time.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Professor of political science, Bennet College, Greensboro, North Carolina. 5 May 1994. Telephone interview.

Country files on Ghana containing articles and reports from diverse sources, primarily dailies and periodicals from the Weekly Media Review (WMR).

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Reports. Daily.

Ghanaian Times [Accra]. Daily.

Keesing's Record of World Events. Yearly.

Material from the Indexed Media Review (IMR) on Ghana.

West Africa [London]. Weekly.