The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, emphasized the need to align cultural values with formal legal systems for better crime prevention and social order.
He stated that communities with strong cultural norms make law enforcement’s job easier, while those that disregard their traditions place the entire responsibility of maintaining peace on the police.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II shared these insights on Tuesday, January 6, during a significant visit to the National Police Headquarters in Accra, where he was welcomed with a ceremonial parade by officers of the Ghana Police Service.
During his visit, the Asantehene praised the Police Service for their commitment to safeguarding lives and property nationwide, describing the relationship between traditional leaders and law enforcement as a crucial partnership for national stability.
He highlighted the essential role of culture in governance, noting that culture existed before modern legal systems and is still important in guiding responsible behavior in communities.
“Before courts were established, disputes were resolved. Before laws were written, right and wrong were already known. Custom was the first law. Culture was the first constitution. It taught restraint before punishment, responsibility before rights, and harmony before victory,” he remarked.
However, he warned that culture and law cannot work effectively on their own. “Culture without law becomes nostalgia—beautiful stories without substance. Law without culture becomes force—effective but fragile. One shapes the heart; the other controls the hand,” he explained.
The Asantehene thus called for stronger collaboration between traditional leaders and the Ghana Police Service, urging that police officers receive training to understand local customs and to focus on dialogue and mediation rather than confrontation when resolving conflicts.
He expressed confidence that integrating cultural wisdom with legal enforcement would help build safer, more cohesive communities across Ghana.