The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stressed that effective crime prevention is achieved when cultural values and legal systems operate hand in hand.
He noted that communities with strong cultural foundations make the work of law enforcement easier, while societies that neglect their cultural values place the full burden of maintaining order on the police.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made these remarks on Tuesday, January 6, during a historic visit to the National Police Headquarters in Accra.
The visit, which featured a ceremonial parade of officers, saw the Asantehene commend the Ghana Police Service for its commitment to protecting lives and property across the country.
He highlighted the long-standing partnership between traditional authorities and law enforcement, underscoring the role of custom in maintaining social order.
“Before courts were built, disputes were settled. Before statutes were written, wrong was already understood. Custom was the first law. Culture was the first constitution. It taught restraint before punishment, responsibility before rights, and harmony before victory,” he said.
He added, “Culture without law becomes nostalgia, beautiful stories with no teeth. Law without culture becomes force effective but brittle. One shapes the heart; the other restrains the hand.”
The Asantehene called for deeper collaboration between the Ghana Police Service and traditional authorities to build safer communities, urging that police officers be trained to understand local customs and prioritise dialogue and mediation before confrontation.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com
