Rejoinder: Numo Gborbu Wulomo is not overlord of Gádangme State

Some descendants of the legendary Borkete Larweh have reacted to an article by some two Wulomei of the Ga Manshi and one minor Wulomo of Osu, challenging the capacity of the Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse as overlord of the GaDangmes.

According to a long rejoinder issued by them copied to GhanaCrusader, this is not the first time this issue is being raised in the public space.

They recall that last year, some group of wulomei led by one Blafo Omaetu, an Akon wontse and an animal slaughter for sakumofio deity in Mashie, first came out questioning the basis for making Numo Gborbu Wulomo the overload.

In that instance, those seeking to know were provided with appropriate answer that same period with the caption ‘’Rebuttal Statement to Blafo Omaetu’’ to assert the customary position of the Gborbu Wulomo Shitse as overlord with historical records and Kusum”.

The Borkete Larweh descendants side says, it is shocked that the same issue would be resurrected a year later by “our Wulomei” at a time Ga Mashie, has found a new King after a long period of interregnum.

Regardless of the repetitive nature of the subject matter, the Borkete Larweh’s have provided a very detailed response to those who are seeking to know why Numo Gborbu Wulomo is the overlord of Gadangme.

Below is the rejoinder

We first of all want to congratulate King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, upon his take over as President of the Ga Traditional Council after a long period of acting by Nii Doodo Nsaki, Otubluhun Mantse. Abiasu ma! Bo ni! Bo ni oo! Bo ni – Afekedi Abetetsi Afadi.

Our attention has been drawn to the unfortunate press statement by two wulomei of Ga Manshi and one minor wulomo of Osu challenging the capacity of the Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse as overlord of the GaDangmes. It is important to note that this same exercise was undertaken last year by some group of wulomei led by one Blafo Omaetu, an Akon wontse and an animal slaughter for sakumofio deity in Mashie. We accordingly issued a rejoinder on 20th May 2019 with the heading ‘’Rebuttal Statement to Blafo Omaetu’’ to assert the customary position of the Gborbu Wulomo Shitse as overlord with historical records and Kusum. It is surprising therefore that our Wulomei found it necessary to resurrect this discussion at this time when Ga Mashie has found a new King after a long period of interregnum. We wish to put on record the reasons Gborbu wulomo, shitse is overlord of GaDangmes so discerning minds would be informed in their quest to ascertain and unravel the mystery surrounding the position of the Gborbu wulomo, shitse.

To move straight, the GaDangme state as all Gamei are aware was/is ruled by WOR LUMEI (Our Governors) who were/are responsible for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of their people. The two WOR LUMEI within the Ga State are Numo Gborbu Wulomo and Numo Nae, with Numo Gborbu wulomo being Shitse (landlord) and Numo Nae being the Nshortse. Tradition has it that Konor Borkete Larweh, Gborbu wulomo the leader of Ga Wor was the first amongst the Ga towns to have settled along the coast with his brother Numo Lakote Aduawushi. In his article, The Succession to the Ga Stool, Nii Maama Marte stated that after the fall of Ayawaso the Asere and Tunma stock came down to form alliance with the pioneer Ga settlers on the coast such as the house of Larkote Adu Awushie whose descendants, even till now, retain the sole prerogative of taking a new Ga Mantse to Nungua who were the early Ga settlers on the coast.

Land is the greatest heritage of any tribe or group of people, it is therefore remarkable to appreciate when one extends to you an everlasting resource such as land. Konor Borkete Laweh Tsuru (Gborbu wulomo, shitse) the first GaDangme to have settled along the GaDangme coast has territories stretching from the Cook’s Loaf or Langma to the Volta or Shwilao (Ref. Rev. CC Reindolf 1895; libation citation). Almost all the historians have acknowledged that the Gas and the Dangmes are one stock linked not only linguistically but through customs, tradition

and rites (KUSUM).

It is worthy of note that Konor Borkete Larweh, the leader of Ga Wor, founded the famous seven city states of the Ga Dangme people namely Worborbor, Worshiagba, Wordoku, Wordode, Workple, Wortinya and Worlai. Other towns founded by him were Wor Akwamu, Wor Kpatsakole, Wor Koko-Nyaga, etc with Wordoku as the capital (The History of the Gold Coast and the Asantes, Rev. CC Reindolf 1895; Prof.Irene Odotei – the history of the Ga people

– introduction, Marion Kelson – Kple lalai and other oral Kple tunes). He is said to have allocated all the five other Ga towns to their present day locations.

These are, Ga Mashie (WOR Shagba), Tema (WOR Kpele/kpeshie), La (Wor Bone), Teshie (Ledzokuku or Akro), OSU (Christianborg) thus, all the Ga community is made up of six towns.

The sacred Gborbu grove, holds in its centre, the Gborbu Temple and scattered within the confines of the grove, are other principal and minor deities in all Ga towns. These include, Gua (the blacksmith god), NAE Bosrobo (the sea deity), Sakumo, Korle, Klottey (lagoon gods) etc. The late Dr. Josiah Aryeh in his LECTURE V of the King Tackie Tawiah Memorial Lectures titled ‘The Prophets and the Influence of Religion’ stated ‘’From the shrine of Gbobu-ku (Gbobu’s forest) in Nungua, Borketey Larweh had time and again demonstrated the high personal qualities and moral standards expected of the Gá-Dangme prophet. Said to be of part-Gá, part- Ningo origin, Borketey Larweh denounced the slave dealers and sought to create a society of austere religious followers devoted entirely to worship and abstinence. Gbobu-ko for some

time became the leading religious shrine of the Gá-Dangme; from its luxuriant aklabatsa (surrounding forest) a new moral light shone across the Accra plains, emphasising the age-old moral values of the Gá-Dangme and establishing Nungua as a rival new religious centre. Such was the authority Borketey Larweh and his successors that to this day the priests of Gbobu-ko and the leading religious figures of Nungua are consulted before the appointment of a new Gá Manche and other Ga leading personages of Accra’’. (See also WODOKU – An Archaeology of An Early Nungua Settlement by J Boachie-Ansah)

We will support our claims, assertions and reliefs with both oral and empirical authorities cited in history books, law books, newspapers and interviews granted leading Ga personage which are captured in videos. It is time we let the world know the position of the Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse.

We want to ask Sakumofio Wulomo, Ogbamey to tell us his authority within GaDangme. What makes Akwa Mensah NAE wulomo? What is the problem of Gbelenfo, Osu Gua worntse, if Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse uses overlord? How can you claim that all wulomei are equal? Which institution has no head? Nii Yartey Obedru are you sure, you’re indeed an elder in Nai we? If you are, you wouldn’t make such blasphemous comments against the Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse. We are eager to know what, Akwa Mensah, Sakumofio Ogbamey, Gbelenfo (Owu re su) and Yartey Obedru understand by Overlord. We do not think, the above mentioned are abreast with customary facts concerning GaDangme and even if they do they have allowed themselves to be used by certain elements to promote their concealed parochial motives. We challenge any Wulomo or Paramount Chief within the Ga Dangme (Gt Accra) to cite any authority either in history or KUSUM which indicate him as Shitse and Overlord.

We must now delve into what makes one an Overlord.

An Overlord is a personality holding under him several Paramount and divisional chiefs.

As indicated supra, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru( Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse) was/is the first priest and ruler to have settled along the GáDangme coast (Ref. page 26 of the Religion&Medicine of the Ga people by Prof. MJ Field). In page 158 of Prof. MJ fields Social Organisation of the Ga People, she stated emphatically that the nearest approach to paramountcy in Ga history is the position of Nungua where the Gborbu wulomo sends

delegation to put every mantse of every Ga Division into butrumwoo before his installation as Mantse. (It is important to note that butrumwoo rite is different from kromotsumliwoo rite). She also stated in page 183 of the same book that the only town within Ga Dangme which enjoyed anything like overlordship of others in the past was Nungua.

We wish to also bring to light the introduction to the book WODOKU – An Archaeology of an Early Nungua Settlement by J Boachie-Ansah which confirms that Ga Wor (Nungua) was the first Ga speaking group to have settled along the GaDangme coast.

Points to Consider

The Gborbu Temple of Konor Borkete Larweh is the leading religious temple in GaDangme. Ref: Dr. Josiah Aryeh King Taki Tawia memorial lectures V.

The Gborbu temple controlled by the Gborbu wulomo, Shitse is the only temple within Ga Dangme which houses all the principal and minor deities within the Kple cult of the

Ga State which makes Numo Gborbu the head of the Kple cult.

Konor Borkete Larweh, Gborbu Wulomo – Shitse, is the first Priest King to have settled along the Ga Dangme coast (Ref. page 26 of the Religion&Medicine of the Ga people by Prof. MJ Field, Testimony by Nii Thomas Laryea during the Tema-Nungua Pinkwai Land Dispute, 1904 Crowther Report)

Konor Borkete Larweh, Gborbu wulomo – Shitse, and Nungua is the only Ga Dangme town recognised to have enjoyed anything like Paramountcy and Overlordship (pages 158&183 of the Social Organisation of the Ga people by Prof. MJ Fields, 1940)

Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse is the only Priest King who alienates stool lands.(see: E I 26 of 1991 – Nyametei Commission and pages 4O5-412 SCGLR 1995/6)

He performs rites on Ga Mantse (See what late Nae and Gborbu Wulomei had to say in the news articles published on 21st January 2008 by the Daily Guide with the heading ‘’Ga Priests angry’’ and Joy News with the heading ‘’Ga Chief Priests unhappy’’. Prof Irene Odotei – The History of the Gas – Introduction. Dr. Josiah Aryeh – Lecture V of King Taki Tawia Memorial Lectures)

He sends representatives to initiate major Ga chiefs and priests into butrum wor (Ref: Prof Irene Odotei – Introduction to the history of the Ga people, Prof. MJ Fields SOG and late Josiah Aryeh Lecture V) and conclude by ushering them into kronmotsumli wor in the great Gborbu Temple in Nungua where the sacred “ASERE kotope morse ” is also located.

He is the only high priest who occupies a white stool-LAWEH SEI (See: E I 26 of 1991 – Nyametei Commission)

He is the Head of the WorBorbor Amanfa group (Ga WOR) of Nungua who first settled and granted lands to Ga Mashie (WOR Shagba), OSU (Christianborg), La (Ga Bone),

Teshie (Akro or Ledzokuku), Nungua Sanshiebii (Wor Akwamu), Tema (Ga kpele/Kpeshie) hence the reason for butrum wor.

In search of clean and fresh drinking water, he founded Nu-nma which turned to be Nungua. This was the main reason he relocated from Ningo after the water from the well he dug turned out to be saline hence the name Nu-ngoo (Ningo)

Ga Mashie

The existence of Nyomotsaa , Ashi Akele, Sakumofio, Korle, Daada Buko, Jorbu deities etc. which all have their roots in the great Gborbu Temple indicates that Borketey Laweh sojourned and name the place currently Ga Mashie as WOR SHIAGBA. (See: The history of the Gold Coast and Asantes by CC Reindolf and introduction to the history of the Gas by Prof Irene Odotei).

Osu (Christianborg)

The OSU klote deity, Obenesu (water for obene) etc. Establishes the fact that, Konor Borketey Laweh owned Osu lands. (See: Gas of Ghana by Handerson Quartey, page 196 MJ Fields SOG, video interview by Shipi dudor and the Mankralo Nii Ako Nortei all of Osu)

La (Ga Bone)

The existence of Nyomotsa, Jorbu, Ashiele, etc which have their roots in the Gborbu Temple and the appellations of La Mantse, Jorbu, Ashiele, etc indicates that, Konor Borkete Laweh lived and owned Wodoku. (See pages 201/202 MJ Fields Social Organisation of the Ga People)

TESHIE (Akro)

Teshie, a town which was founded as recent as 171O in the 18th century acknowledges that they were granted land by “Nungua” and paid annual tribute to the kinsmen of Nungua Krowor. (See:Jackson report, History of the Gold Coast & Asantes by CC Reindolf, Social Organisation by MJ page 207). The existence of Nungua Adonteng clans – Oofu and Odaiteitse We in Teshie maintains the Nungua link in Teshie.++++++++

Nungua Sanshie (Wor Akwamu)

Oshwe Yaado a war fethish of the Mantse was created for the descendants of Odai Akoto by the descendants of Borkete Larweh led by Numo Bortei-Din. Also, Tsawe Otrome, currently with Odaiteitse webii was relegated to them by a descendant of Konor Borketey Laweh (Borte Webii)

Konor Borkete Larweh was mentioned as the Priest of Angmu te (meridian rock) which worship

involved human sacrifice (See: Kane Mormi Okwe3 book 3 page 44 Chapter 21). As part of the Gberjee Jufor rite, during the Nungua kpledjoe festivity, the Mantse who is also the Oshwie Wulomo dramatizes his inferiority at the sunkainaa (soomor kaimor) in the Gborbu koon before the Gborbu Wulomo – Shitse just like the way the Ga Mantse carries log to the sakumofio shrine during Ga homowo rites.

During royal burial procession (Amanprobi) the Wor Kwamu (Sanshie) leads the war-like procession with the descendants of Konor Borkete Larweh (Worborbor) following in that order. This is established in our Ga custom which allow the younger ones to proceed with the seniors behind.

TEMA (Workpele)

Sakumo Nukpa lagoon and lands were granted to Temamei by Nungua-Borketey Laweh’s people. (see: The History of Gold Coast & Asante – CC Reindolf, Crowther Report 1904).

The Angmu (the meridian rock) is owned and controlled by Borkete Larweh who was described as the Priest of Angmu (See: Kane Mormi Okw3 book 3 page 44 Chapter 21)

Sakumono Nkpa the senior deity of Tema knows Numo Gborbu as his father. Also the Sakumo Nkpa lagoon was owned by Konor Borkete Larweh ( See page 10 of the CC Reindolf and page 87 of the SOG by MJ Fields).

KPONE (Ofosu We)

The Kpone Ofosu webii, where the kpone Mankralo hails, traces their root to Konor Borkete Laweh. The kpone black stool is directed by the Nungua Mankralo’s stool drums under the custody of Dzenge webii-a clan founded by Larweh’s descendants. Dzrokor in Kpone is a well created by Borketey Laweh. Also, Antie We in Kpone recognises their relationship with Konor Borkete Larweh

PRAMPRAM

Laloi and Legbene were under the tutelage of Konor Borketey Laweh when sojourning in Nungo, one of the earlier vassal city states he created. He abandoned the lagoons and lands to its current possessors.

(see: The History of Gold Coast & Asante – CC Reindolf, Oral Kple tunes and libation citations)

GREAT NUNGO (Ningo)

The Dzange lagoon or stream was possessed by Konor Borketey Laweh who first settled at Ningo. He dug a well and the water was salty hence the name “NU NGO” to wit salty water.

The existence of the deity Blofonyobi Atomu, etc indicates that Konor Borkete Larweh sojourned in Ningo.

Ada

The Ada part of the volta estuary (Shwilao) was named by Konor Borketey Laweh.

The Shwilao (Volta) at the East and Densu Sakumofio lagoon at the west, at Borte Annor, a town founded by Borketey Laweh and his descendants shares boundaries to the north with the Akwapim Mountains and on the south with the sea. This affirms the boundary of Konor Borkete Larweh as indicated in the libation citation, from Langma to Shwilao his territories.

(see: Page 11 of The History of Gold Coast & Asante – CC Reindolf)

Adebiewe has a version of their history which states that their leader Adi was a brother of Larweh and the two instituted the Okor grove. The Songor (Sango) was possessed by Borkete Larweh.

Also in his capacity as the Overlord of the Ga Dangmes the late Gborbu Wulomo Shitse applied to the Ashaiman Circuit Court for an out of Court settlement in a case involving the Ada Paramount Chief who was the then President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs which was granted. The Gborbu Wulomo – Shitse and Overlord consequently empanelled a team of eminent elders from the Gt. Accra region which was chaired by the late retired High Court Judge, Justice George Nii Afra Aryeetey. (Ref: Letter to the Registrar of the Ashaiman Circuit Court by the late Gborbu Wulomo – Shitse and Overlord of the GaDangme State – Suit No. 02/149/2010).

Shai (Se)

It is believed that Nuumo Borketey Larweh has a Shai lineage. His title Konor meaning the most Paramount who is carried or exalted shoulder high is said to be a Shai title.

Conclusion

We want to state that, we are aware a group of selfish tyrants from Ga Mashie, Nungua and some elements in the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has been sponsoring these juvenile interviews by some self-seeking personalities to bring to disrepute the image and position of the Gborbu wulomo, Shitse (overlord of the Ga Dangme state) but that shall not suffice. We want you to bear in mind that, whatever ulterior motive you hold against Nuumo Shitse shall collapse.

As members of the great Kpele cult, we believe that whatever good or bad utterances or deeds we commission, our ancestors and deities rewards or punishes accordingly hence the need to carry ourselves in a manner that obliterates brotherly feuding.

We wish the above will help you understand why Gborbu Wulomo, Shitse is the overlord of the Ga Dangbme state

Tswa ni Omanye abaa….Thank you

Cc

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