King Adama Latse 11 Takes Over Ga Mantse Palace

Nii Ayi Bonte 11 (left), Gbese Mantse and Ga State Adonten, shows the 'afili' a bangle (Ga Chief baton) used by the late Nii Amugi on the hands of the new Ga Mantse, King Boni Nii Tackie Adama Latse 11 at the news conference in Accra.

The newly installed Ga Mantse, King Boni NiiTackie Adama Latse 11, yesterday took further steps to consolidate his position when he and his supporters took over the Ga Mantse Palace at Kaneshie previously occupied by his rival, King Tackie Tawiah 111.

With hundreds of youth from Ga communities gathering at the palace, the chief arrived amidst wild jubilation characterised by drumming and dancing.

Although the take-over was without confrontation, there were fears that the situation could degenerate into another chieftaincy conflict as the King Tackie Tawiah faction had declared its intention to to amass supporters from parts of Accra to amrch on the palace.

Although there was no visisble police presence at thne palace, police armoured vehicles were stationed at vantage ponts leading to the palace, while others patrolled roads leading to the place.

A few youth manned the gates checking credentials before anybody was allowed to enter the premises which had been deserted by employees of King Tackie Tawiah, whose whereabouts were not immediately known.

Nii Adama Latse 11 was installed as Ga Mantse on Saturday, June 11, 2011 to succeed Boni Nii Amugi 11, who passed away six yeras ago.

This brings to two the number of occupants of the Ga Stool, with King Tackie Tawiah 11, who was instlled in 2006, still in office.

The rival King was introduced to the people amidst the firing of musketry, drumming and dancing.

Traditional rites were performed by the Sakumono Wulomo, Nuumo Ogbarmey 111, supported by the acting Nai Wulomo, Nuumo Tumono Mli Yaotey; before the King was outdoored and introduced to the people of Ga Mashie.

The issue of who qualifies to be Ga Mantse has been thorny ever since the demise of Nii Amugi, with several people laying claim to the stool

According to Ga State Tradition, the kingship rotates among four royal houses, namely, Teiko Tsuru We, Amugi We, Abola Piam We and Tackie Kommey We. It is generally acknowledged that it is the turn of the Abola Piam We to enstool a Ga Mantse.

The latest twist adds to the number of chieftaincy disputes in several communities in the Ga State. Osu, Nungua and Tema are among communities embroiled in chieftaincy disputes.

Addressing a news conference which was attended by some of the kingmakers of the Ga State, Wulomei (Priests) and some sub-chiefs, the Asere Dzasetse, Nii Amakai 11, called on people he described as 'pretenders' laying claim to the Ga Stool to desist from further provocations that violated the decency of all Gas.

'All truth loving Gas must rally behind the new King in the transformation of the Ga State and the ushering in of a new era of progress and prosperity,' he said to cheers from the crowd.

Explaining the processes that went into installing a Ga Mantse, he said the Ga Paramount Stool had remained vacant since the death of Nii Amugi.

Acoording to him, succession to the stool was patrilineal, with candidates chosen from one of the four houses.

'The succeeding house presents to the Dzase a candidate or candidates from among its members. After the initial nomination by the succeeding ruling house, the Abola, Gbese and Asere stools participate and collaborate in the installation, enstoolment and outdooring of the new King,' he stated.