Annotated bibliography

• Arhin, Kwame.  Traditional Rule in Ghana. Accra; Sedco Publishing ltd.  1985.
• A brief but straightforward description of the chieftaincy system in Ghana by a senior Ghanaian anthropologist.
• Brobbey, S.A.  The Law of Chieftaincy in Ghana. Accra: Advanced Legal Publications, 2008.
• A comprehensive handbook covering the laws governing chieftaincy for all of the ethnic groups in Ghana, incorporating customary arbitration, contempt of court, and judicial review by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana.
• Boahen, Adu, Emmanuel Akyeampong, Nancy Lawler, T.C. McCaskie and Ivor Wilks, eds.  The History of Ashant Kings and the Whole Country Itself.  New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2003.
• A history written by Otumfuo, Nana Agyeman Prempeh I during his exile  (1896 – 1924) and compiled by the editors.
• Falola, Toyin. ed. Ghana in Africa and the World.  Trenton N.J.: Africa World Press, Inc. 2003.
• A very large volume of articles that takes up interpretations of history, ethnicity, religions, and precolonial and colonial economy.
  Falola is a major historian of Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana who teaches at the University of Texas.
• Falgayrettes-Leveau, Christiane and Owusu-Sarpong, Christianne, eds.   Ghana: Yesterday and Today.  Paris: Musee Dapper. 2003.
• A massive museum catalog with thirteen scholarly articles, bibliography and index that accompany extraordinary large and beautiful photographs with explanation.
• Konadu, Kwasi and Clifford C. Campbell, eds.  The Ghana Reader: History, Culture, Politics.  Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2016.
• A very large collection of articles, some new and some are historical documents, compiled by two historians that provide a long range perspective on the scramble for Africa, colonial rule, independence, coups, and the “postcolony.
• McCaskie, T. C. State and Society in Pre-Colonial Asante. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
• A thorough history of the political-legal system of the pre-colonial Asante including the standards of citizenship, the procedures of the two branches of the legal system, and how one could lose citizenship.
• Odotei, Irene K. and Albert K. Awedoba, eds. Chieftaincy in Ghana. Legon, Accra: Sub-Saharan Publishers, 2006. 
• A comprehensive volume that views chieftaincy from numerous viewpoints, including concepts of identity, representations of chiefs in government structures, the judicial role of chiefs, women’s power, and more.
• Rattray, R.S. Ashanti.  London: Oxford University Press, 1923.
• A thorough description of Ashanti culture religious ceremonies, land tenure, drum language and the Golden Stool and the Silver Stool. R.S. Rattray was the first trained British anthropologist who represented the government.  He lived and worked with the Asante people for ten years.

• Rattray, R.S. Ashanti Law and Constitution.  New York:  Negro Universities Press, 1969 (1911).
• In this work focused on the relationship between the family, the clan, and the Constitution Rattray explains how they are integrated yet distinct.  This work also includes the histories of seven paramountcies which were their own states prior to the unification of Asante.  Also, included are discussions of thirteen laws and how they were applied.
• Rathbone, Richard.  Nkrumah and the Chiefs.  Oxford: James Curry.  2000.
• A carefully focused study of the period of transition from colonialism  to independence in which the British worked closely with Kwame Nkrumah to set up the new government. Because Nkrumah was deeply opposed to the chiefs, and to the opposing political party, he acted against them, as the author documents.
• Salm, Steven J. and Toyin Falola. Culture and Customs of Ghana. Westport:       Greenwood Press, 2002.
• A short view of contemporary Ghana, including customs and beliefs as well as significant history and attention to the economic resources.
• Sarbah, John Mensah.  Fanti National Constitution.  London: Frank Cass and Co. Limited, 1906.
• A Ghanaian educated as a barrister in England, Sarbah published this second book in an effort to persuade the British that they should respect the Ghanaian political-legal system and the rights of the Ghanaians to their land.  Though he never ceased in his efforts, he was not successful.
• Stoeltje, Beverly J.  “Asante Queen mothers: A Study in Female Authority.”  In Queens, Queen Mothers, Priestesses, and Power, edited by Flora Kaplan, 41-71.  Johns Hopkins Press, 1997.
• A comprehensive study of the role of the queen mother in the Asante society, focusing on her responsibilities and providing a close look at the Asantehemaa, Queen Mother of the Asante and the Offinsohemaa, a paramount queen mother.
• Stoeltje, Beverly J. “Asante Queenmothers in a Postcolonial Society,” Research Review, New Series, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, vol. 19:2.  1-19.  2003.
• Focused on the position of queen mother in the Asante political system, this study compares the system as it functioned in the precolonial era with contemporary conditions , identifying the influences that affect her power and authority.
• Stoeltje, Beverly J. “Disentangling Modernity in Ghana: The Cosmopolitan Chief.” West African Review, Issue 22, 9-25.  2013.
• Addressing the claim made by numerous sources that African needs new leadership, this study addresses the period of colonialism and early independence, and then argues that some contemporary chiefs are capable of providing leadership in certain contexts in Ghana.  The article follows the Juabenhene, Paramount Chief of Juaben, Nana OtuO Siriboe, documenting his contributions to his town and his region and national committees and institutions.  The article argues that he qualifies as a Cosmopolitan Chief.
• Wilks, Ivor.  Asante in the Nineteenth Century.  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,  1975.
• A detailed study by a distinguished historian focusing on the early Asante and their development into a major state, examining the role of specific chiefs and queen mothers and the politics and policies that shaped the powerful Asante in the Nineteenth century.

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