The Office of Ghana's National Chief Imam


The world over, issues of succession have often generated conflict.

The concept of itself is a thorny issue especially in situations where there are no clear lines of succession and there are many ‘rightful’ heirs to a seat of authority. History is awash with man examples of this problem. notable among them is the Spanish Succession (1701–14) which arose out of the disputed succession to the throne of Spain following the death of the childless Charles II.

 Then there is an example that you may be quite familiar with in our own country, the issues to do with Andanis and Abudus or the Dagbon crises. Historically when chieftaincy or ruler-ship feuds mix up with religion, the death tolls are often very heavy.

This is particularly true because often in religion, arbitration is done by humans on behalf of the divine and who knows that the divine wants? This brings me to the crust of my epistle this evening. Years ago, a rift was opened between Sunni and Shiad moslems over the succession of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) who died in the year 632. This led to several battles leading to the massacre of Hussein ibn Ali and his entire household including his six-month-old child. What did this do?

It further aggravated a bad situation. The problem was not the Holy Prophet, it was the fact that the Prophet had led such a profound legacy that everybody wanted to follow in his footsteps. The result coupled with the lack of a properly laid down succession plan led to a bloodbath remnants of which persist till today.


Ghana finds itself today in a similar situation, we have an Imam or leader who has led the Islamic fraternity so amiable that across religious divides, people look to him for counsel and inspiration. Allah has blessed him with a very beautiful and long life. He continues to lead the fastest growing religion in the world in Ghana with justice.

But as has been said in the Holy Quran “Every self will taste death. You will be paid your wages in full on the Day of Rising. Anyone who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to the Garden, has triumphed. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of delusion,” (3:185). He too will have Jannah.
What then afterwards? Who succeeds him? Is there a plan? Is there the need for a plan? Does the Quran prescribe a plan? I believe that these are questions that need to asked dispassionately. Is it better to ask these questions now or after the leader is gone? I believe the former is more realistic. We have built for ourselves a society of interdependence as such cannot lose each other over visibly problematic contentions out of a lack of preparation.

I write you this epistle because I know you are progressive and forward thinking. As we approach Jumah, I hope that you will put these thoughts to Allah that he may guide the thoughts of all others towards such benign and constructive hopes.


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