New Ga Mantse Introduced

King Boni Nii Tackie Adama Latse II being carried shoulder high at the ceremony

The newly enstooled Ga Mantse, King Boni Nii Tackie Adama Latse II, was introduced at Amugi Naa, opposite the Ussher Fort in Accra, Saturday, amid pomp and circumstance.

Nii Latse, known in private life as George Adama Tackie Abia, works with Maersk Company, an international shipping company, as a shipping analyst and co-ordinator.

He arrived for the ceremony in his white, silk royal robe in the company of some Ga kingmakers and a retinue, some of whom carried his silver stool.

He was blessed by the Sakumo Wulomo, Numo Ogbame III, who directed the ceremony and poured libation to the ancestors to guide the new chief.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, and the Mayor of Accra, Mr Alfred Vanderpuije, who were special guests, failed to attend the ceremony.

However, the ceremony, which drew a large crowd, went on without any trouble, contrary to fears that the King Tackie Tawiah III faction might foment trouble.

A sheep was slaughtered and its blood poured on the feet of the new chief, who swore the oath of allegiance three times to the Dzase of the Ga State, Nii Yaote Oto-Ga II; the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayibonte II, and the Sempe Mantse, Nii Otinto, who in turn swore the oath of allegiance three times to Nii Latse.

According to a brief biography on the new chief distributed at the ceremony, Nii Latse is the 10th child of Nii Kofi Tackie-Abia of the Tunmgwa We and Diana Naa Dawa Otoo of Otublohum Dadebanaa.

He schooled at the Police Depot Primary School in Accra from 1960 to 1970 and then went to the O’Reilly Secondary School from 1970 to 1975.

King Latse, who is married with three daughters, began his working life with the Panbros Salt Company in Accra in 1975 after his General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level examination.

He then left for the United Kingdom, where he worked for Jane Shilton Ltd between 1983 and 1986 and the Charity British National Trust in 1987.

From 1990 to 2001 he undertook training in Office Management, Accountancy and Computer Studies in various establishments in London.

His leisure pursuits include listening to soul, reggae and Ga-Dangme highlife music, collecting books on African history and meeting with friends.