Ghanaians Mourn Ga Mantse

Two years of sorrow that engulfed the Ga-Dangbe People of Ghana following the death of one of the most revered men in modern chieftaincy reaches its climax today with the internment of the late Ga Mantse, Boni Nii Amugi II.

Today, the venerable man, whose claim disposition and personal charisma added value to the throne he occupied for 39 years, will join his long list of ancestors, including notable ones as Ayi Kushie and King Tackie Tawiah, in the village beyond.

On this occasion, thousands of mourners will throng the Ga Mantse Palace at Kaneshie with expected spill-overs across Ga-Mashie and down town Accra where the spectacle of colours, drumming and dancing, as well as rounds of booming musketery, will constitute a cultural melting point.

Ga legend and customary practices dictate that the exact time and location of the royal's final interment will be known only to the exclusive core of ritual custodians. The final moments will be in the darkest of nights. However, there will be much to behold in the day, to exhibit the diversity of culture and history that link all the tribes from Anahor in Togo through the lands of the Dangbe people, Nungua, Teshie, La, Osu, Ga-Mashie to Efutu in Central Ghana.

The proof of his reign of peace and stability is that Nii Amugi II was enthroned king during the presidency of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and he guided his people in peace and unity through the eras of Gen. Ankrah, Kotoka and Afrifa, K. A. Busia, Kutu Acheampong, F.W.K. Akuffo, J. J. Rawlings, Hilla Limann, J.J. Rawlings again and died two years ago during the current administration of President J. A. Kufuor.