Ahead of controversial Ga Mantse coronationDzaase on warpath … Warns City Mayor, Minister, others

The Ga Paramount Stool Dzaase supported by the Abola, Gbese and Asere divisions of the Ga State have cautioned that it would not be able to control the emotions of Ga Dangme Youth should the purported coronation of Dr Jo Blankson come off on Saturday April, 14, 2007 as planned.

Accordingly, it has served notice that “the impunity and illegalities being perpetrated by Dr. Jo Blankson, the Ga Traditional Council and their cohorts in flouting all laid down procedure in connection with installation of the Ga Mantse will no longer be tolerated”.

As custodians of the Ga paramount stool processes in installing a king, the Dzaase says “we will resist with all the power at our disposal any attempt to subvert and desecrate the Ga nation”.

The Dzaase have thus stressed that it would not sit in laxity for any individual or group of persons to impose an illegal king on the chiefs and people of Ga Mashie.

Speaking at a press conference here in Accra yesterday, Nii Yaote Oto-Ga, the Ga Dzaasetse accused certain high-powered government officials including Accra City Mayor Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson and Regional Minister Sheikh I.C Quaye for being neck deep in the crisis that has beset the Ga state resulting in continuous tension.

Flanked by his able lieutenants including Niibi Teiko Tackie, Head of the Teiko Tsuru We, David Tackie-Komme, head of Tackie Komme We, Nii Okai Mensah IV, head of Amugi We and Nii Ayitey Osu III, head of Abola Piam We, the Dzaasetse proceeded to mention Mr J.S Addo, a member of the Council of State and Dr Charles Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), which is now on temporary sabbatical, as soliciting for funds to support the 'illegal' coronation of Dr Jo Blankson.

The Dzaasetse took time to explain to journalists the processes and procedures leading to the nomination, installation and coronation of a Ga Mantse. He indicated that the purported nomination and installation of Dr Jo Blankson as the substantive Ga Mantse to succeed the late Boni Nii Amugi II violates time tested and honoured Ga custom and tradition for enstooling a Ga Mantse.

According to Nii Oto-Ga such illegality cannot be tolerated by any sentiments whatsoever hence it must not be allowed to stand.

He further pointed out key issues to buttress his argument that Dr Jo Blankson has indeed violated the customs and traditions of the Ga state, part of which included the fact that a new Ga Mantse is never nominated and enstooled to succeed a deceased Ga Mantse when the latter has not been buried as was done in the case of Dr Jo Blankson.

He emphasised that the fact that Jo Blankson's nomination and selection was done without the participation of all the accredited kingmakers, which is a basic requirement for the occupation of the Ga paramount stool also constituted an illegality hence should be discarded.

Dr Jo Blankson was selected and installed by Nii Akropong III, the then head of Teiko Tsuru We and Nii Tetteh Ashong IV, Seitse of the Ga paramount stool.

Subsequently the two were summoned before the Nai Wulomo, who upon admitting their guilt fined them a goat, 2 bottles of schnapps and an amount of ¢1.5million which they have since fulfilled. The Nai Wulomo at the time came out publicly to declare Jo Blankson's enstoolment as null and void since according to him, it did not conform to the laid down customs and tradition of the Ga state.

That notwithstanding, the Ga Paramount Stool Dzaase says, “Dr Jo Blankson does not hail from the patrilineal line of succession as a grandson of Ameley-Nkpa, daughter of King Tackie Tawiah I.

They therefore consider him to be a third generation female line whose father, the late Lartey Blankson from Gbese Manhean does not hail from a royal line.

Dr Blankson's purported nomination and installation has been a subject matter of several suits, some of which are pending before the judicial committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.

Dr Jo Blankson however continues to hold himself out as Ga Mantse.
In spite of an appeal by President Kufuor for the amicable settlement of all outstanding issues pertaining to the Ga state, his faction have indicated their preparedness to go ahead with the planned coronation coming Saturday.

In a related development, the Ga Dangme Youth have issued a statement cautioning Ghanaians, particularly the Presidency, Judiciary, Legislature, Council of State and the security agencies and all other stakeholders to stay off the purported coronation of Dr Jo Blankson come Saturday, April 14, 2007.

Since the advertised coronation has neither been sanctioned nor approved by the Ga Dzaase, they noted that it would an illegality and a criminal act for Dr Jo Blankson and his people to go ahead with the said coronation.

“This disgraceful and criminal act of the Ga Traditional Council cannot be countenanced or condoned in any other traditional area in Ghana” they said.

Although they claim to have been watching in utter helplessness for their leaders who they described as “visionless” make a laughing stock of the Ga state, they warned that “any Ghanaian in political, traditional, religious or any public office who attends the said coronation, declares himself or herself an enemy of the Ga state, with the same going for any Ghanaian or alien who conducts any business with Dr Jo Blankson.”

Meanwhile, fears have been expressed of possible clashes, which could lead to bloodshed.