This study examines the leadership roles of traditional rulers in Asante Akyem Central through the lens of Mintzberg’s managerial framework. Using a mixed-methods, cross-sectional design, it reveals that chiefs perform roles beyond ceremonial duties, acting as leaders, negotiators, disseminators, and resource allocators. Findings highlight their critical contributions to governance, development, and conflict resolution, especially in contexts where state presence is limited. The study underscores the strategic importance of chieftaincy in Ghana’s decentralized governance system and advocates for the integration of traditional rulers into formal policy and administrative frameworks. Despite methodological limitations, the research provides valuable insights into the functional leadership of chiefs and calls for more inclusive, role-based approaches to governance and development planning in Ghana.
Keywords: Chieftaincy, Ghana, Governance, Traditional leadership, development planning, mintzberg framework
