Exploring communication norms and gender-based participation in indigenous governance systems: Insights from the upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana

Abstract

Cultural norms are determined by societal expectations and are embedded and ingrained in communication practices. They define, prescribe, and dictate gender roles, including who is qualified to communicate or speak at public gatherings. Communication practices are shaped and regulated by cultural norms. This study investigates the ways and manners in which cultural norms affect women's involvement in traditional governance systems in two regions in Ghana, namely Upper East and Upper West. As part of the qualitative research technique, the study deployed focus group discussion, in-depth interviews, and participant observation in the data collection process. In addition to two Regional House of Chiefs registrars, one from each region, the participants also included two paramount chiefs from the Bongo and Builsa traditional areas of the Upper East Region, two paramount chiefs from the Kaleo and Tumu traditional areas in the Upper West Region, two paramount queen mothers from the Bongo and Builsa traditional areas of the Upper East Region and two paramount queen mothers from the Kaleo and Tumu traditional areas of the Upper West Region. The study represented gender-based non-governmental organisations from both regions. The inclusion criteria included those who were directly involved in traditional governance systems or actively involved in gender-related community work, including advocacy, while those whose roles did not intersect with traditional governance systems or whose contributions did not directly relate to traditional authority structures or gender advocacy were excluded. The study highlights how institutional structures and cultural discourses sustain gender inequality in the traditional governance systems of the study’s locations, with a focus on Gender and Development (GAD) theory. The results reveal that gendered communication norms make it difficult for women to participate in traditional governance, which limits their visibility and impact and reinforces patriarchy in public discourse. Despite this trend, the study also identifies opportunities for revolutionary change, including policy changes, interventions designed to enhance the capacity of established authorities, and adjustments to communication methods that promote more inclusive discourse. It advocates for egalitarianism and participative governance systems, removing obstacles to communication and reassessing cultural norms via the prism of GAD. It recommends that policymakers, traditional leaders, and civil society actors who want to advance gender equality in governance should take note of this study's implications.  The study concludes with specific recommendations, including the creation of community-level forums for inclusion and empowerment, the integration of gender-sensitive training for traditional leaders, and institutional support for queen mothers.