REJOINDERRE: Alleged Destoolment Of Ga Dzaasetse

We most humbly put in this rejoinder in reaction to the article which appeared on page 10 of Monday, 5th May 2008 issue of your esteemed newspaper, The Chronicle certain “so called king makers” of the Ga state on the subject of destoolment of our most respected Ga royal stool Dzaasetse, Nii Tette Kwei II.

In every civil democratic dispensation, there must always be a broad consensus (majority decision by the people) on the issues which affect the interest of the society in which they live.

It is upon this premise that we the under mentioned, being majority principal executive elders and members of the royal Ga royal paramount stool Dzaase do hereby declare that Nii Tetteh Kwei II, our most respected Ga royal Dzaasetse has never been destooled and cannot be destooled without any tangible reason and more so by those minority signatories to the said offensive article who styled themselves as councillors/elders.

The involvement of Nii Agyemang Kesse with those minority groups is surprising and most regrettable. Consequently their false claim and horrible wrongful use of customary terminologies to confuse the public should be dismissed and treated with every contempt they deserve.

ENSTOOLMENT OF NII TETTEH KWEI II

Nii Tetteh Kwei II was enstooled on 23rd December 2005.The final traditional customary rites were performed by the Sakumo Wulomo on the 19th January 2006 and the Ga Traditional Council was accordingly advised on 23rd January 2006 with a humble request to induct Nii Dzaasetse into the council. A reminder letter of Nii Tetteh Kweii II's induction into the Ga Traditional Council was addressed to the incumbent President of the Ga Traditional Council, the Ga Mantse Abiasumah King Tackie Tawiah III on 7th August 2007 and who accordingly complied on 24th September 2007. The colourful traditional customary rites were performed by the Nai Wulormo on this occasion.

Consequently Nii Tetteh Kwei II became a full member of the Ga Traditional Council and also of its financial committee.

Nii Tetteh Kwei II had a very respectful and most cordial relationship with the prinicipal elders and general membership of the Dzaase. He is of a quiet and friendly disposition and admired by all (especially Sqr.Ldr. Tagoe)

ALLEDGED CRIMES/OFFENCES/DESTOOLMENT CHARGES
PREFERRED AGAINST NII TETTEHKWEI II
RESPONSES

Nii Tetteh Kwei II's relationship with the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III was known to all the principal elders of the Dzaase who even endorsed and blessed it as a move in the right direction to promote unity and peace in Ga mashie and a customary rite was performed to the effect with the slaughter of a sheep at an exclusive executive meeting as Oshiyie in mid June 2007. This meeting prompted the reminder letter of the Dzaasetse's induction into the Traditional Council to the President of the council, Abiasumah King Tackie Tawiah III (as stated above)

Did Nii Tetteh Kwei II willfully break camp?

Why did the Dzaase plead for Nii Tetteh Kwei II's induction to the Traditional Council and later accused him of breaking camp?

If the Dzaase knew they had bones to pick with the President of the Traditional Council why did they write a reminder letter to him for Nii Tetteh Kwei II's induction into the Council. Was it a silent plan to punish Nii Tetteh Kwei II {and for which specific crime or offence}?

PERFORMANCE/OBSERVATION OF TRADIONAL /CUSTOMARY RITES
AT SAKUMO WE

The accusation that Nii Tetteh Kwei II is guilty of dereliction of his official traditional and customary duties at the Sakumo We is totally false and wicked. The Dzaasetse faithfully performed all his customary duties during the annual traditional customary Shibaa ceremony on Tuesday 6th May 2008.

Of course the Dzaasetse has every moral right to delegate his duties from time to time when he finds it necessary.

The Sakumo Wulomo will confirm that Nii Tetteh Kwei II and his elders faithfully honour all financial obligations towards every traditional and customary rite at the Sakumo We. Nii Tetteh Kwei II is loved and respected by the Sakumo Wulomo, all the elders and entire household of SAKUMO WE. Nii Tetteh Kwei II is a very popular personality in GA MASHIE.

MEETINGS

The so called secretary of that minority group in the Dzaase will attest to the fact that soon after the enstoolment of Nii Tetteh Kwei II his attendance at the Dzaase meeting was frowned upon by some members for the apparent reason of capitalising on the (Dzaasetse's) absence to plan and implement their nefarious and selfish activities. Nii Tetteh Kwei II had to “gate crash” into the Dzaase's meetings.

Many of the under mentioned were very disturbed by this situation which is on record and cannot be denied. This situation not withstanding, Nii Tetteh Kwei II always attended all meetings and any summons by the Dzaase without fail.

Why were these members of this minority group using falsehoods to plot against the Dzaasetse?

SAKUMO WULOMO DENIAL OF DESTOOLMENT
OF NII TETTEH KWEI II

The Sakumo Wulomo and his elders have categorically denied any wrong doing on the part of Nii Tetteh Kwei II and empowering members of this minority group to destool him. He (Sakumo Wulomo) averred that he only performs traditional customary rites on enstooled royals and has no power in destooling them. He further averred that he recognises Nii Tetteh Kwei II as the only Ga Dzaasetse. {ref 8th February 2008 issue of the Ghanaian Times}

WHY THE SUDDEN HATRED FOR NII TETTEH KWEI II?
OBSERVED REASONS

We the majority principal elders have observed that the minority group's sudden hatred for Nii Tetteh Kwei II arose from the following:

Nii Tetteh Kwei II refused to sign the numerous letters to the press which he felt were destructive to the image /reputation of the Ga Mantse.

The Dzaasetse refused to endorse the minority group's continuous nefarious and destructive idea of finding another person for the seat of the Ga Mantse when we already have a very honest and accomplished personality in the name of Abiasumah King Tackie Tawaiah III dutifully occupying the stool.

Was the cost of Nii Tetteh Kwei II enstoolment financed by that minority group in anyway (cash or in kind).

Why has Sqr. Ldr. Tagoe (Nii Tetteh Kwei's “known foster father”) who together with Nii Agyemang Kesse encouraged him to accept the position of the Ga Dzaasetse kept mute over this betrayal of trust with Nii Tetteh Kwei II?

Why is Sqr. Ldr. Tagoe no longer an active member of the Dzaase? Could it be because of the absolute indiscipline within that Minority group and their use of his (Sqr. Ldr Tagoe's) name in the illegal soliciting of monies from people?

Ga mashie should know the truth and true character of the likes who are advocating to destooling Nii Tetteh Kwei II

CONCLUSION

We the under mentioned PRINCIPAL ELDERS of the Ga royal paramount stool Dzaase, do hereby declare to al Ga mashie citizens, Ghana and the whole world that Nii Tetteh Kwei II, our most respected royal paramount stool Dzaasetse has never been destooled.

VICTOR LARTEY
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY