Ga chieftaincy crisis is shameful

Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa also known as Prof. John S. Nabila, President of the National House of Chiefs

The National House of Chiefs, the highest decision-making body of traditional rulers in the country, has expressed its disappointment in the ongoing brouhaha surrounding the Ga Mantse Stool, describing it as a serious indictment on the integrity of the chieftaincy institution in the country.

The House observed with regret that not only was the situation going on in the national capital unacceptable, but had also given a bad image to the institution of chieftaincy, particularly, in the eyes of the country's external partners.

The traditional rulers lamented that considering the reality that the confusion is going on right in Accra, the national capital where all foreign missions are situated the image of the chieftaincy institution could be greatly affected if immediate solutions are not found to the crisis.

The President of the National House of Chiefs, Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa also known as Prof. John S. Nabila, articulated these sentiments during the Second General Meeting of the House held in Kumasi yesterday.

The House bemoaned that in spite of assistance from the government and foreign donors towards strengthening the structures and institution of chieftaincy in the country, the numerous disputes, particularly that of the Ga Traditional Council, were seriously affecting the development of the institution.

The Ga Traditional Council has, in recent times, been engulfed in commotion over the real occupant of the Ga Stool, following fresh claims by two other royal gates, and subsequently, installations of the two people as Paramount Chiefs of the traditional council.

Prof. Nabila, in his welcome address, acknowledged that a report from the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs indicated that sitting on the case against King Tackie Tawiah had reached an advanced stage, making reference to an emergency meeting of the Greater Accra Regional House on Friday June 24, where concerns were raised about the installation of a new Ga Mantse, whilst the case concerning the nomination, selection and installation of King Tackie Tawiah III was still pending.

The House further expressed its fear that the confusion that had engulfed the Ga Traditional Council would affect other areas such as La, Tema, Osu, Nungua, James Town, Teshie and Ngleshie Alata.

The President, therefore, appealed to the various contestants, kingmakers, chieftaincy houses or Gates, Wulomei, Queenmothers and Ga senior citizens, to take a strong and meaningful decision and put a stop to the chaos going on in the Ga Traditional Area.

The House also expressed its abhorrence on the use of vulgar language by politicians and the general public in both the print and the electronic media.

Though the rest of the discussions were held behind closed doors, information gathered, indicated that the Ga Mantse conflict took centre stage during the meeting, as the chiefs continued to explore all avenues to ensure the resolution of the chieftaincy conundrum that has plagued the Ga Traditional Council.

Other issues discussed at the Second General Meeting included the House of Chiefs office complex and the status of Ascertainment and Codification of the Customary Law Project.