Queen Mothers Demand New Ga Mantse Before Homowo

The Queen Mother of the Ga Paramount Stool, Naa Dedei Omaadru III has issued a four month ultimatum to the kingmakers to install a legitimate Chief for the Ga state to end the restless battle of individuals posing themselves in public as legitimate chief.

Addressing some Queen Mothers in Accra, Naa Dedei Omaadru III said it was time that the bickering and the acrimony in the Ga state is stopped to allow the rightful chief to be installed to managed the affairs and restore development on the land.

She noted that it will be impossible and a disgrace to celebrate this year’s Homowo festival again in August without a new chief to steer the affairs and hold the symbol of unity and peace in the Ga state for development to continue.

According to her, growth and development of the Ga state has been standstill for several years after the death of the late Boni Nii Amugi Soosi II the then chief of the Ga state whose demise occurred on December 10, 2004.

The Queen Mother added that several attempt to install a legitimate chief to succeed Boni Nii Amugi Soosi II has proven futile with several parties being installed as Ga Chief without following the laid down customary practice.

Ga State, for almost two decades now has been without a substantive chief since the death of Ga Mantse Nii Amugi and getting a successor to former Ga Mantse Boni Nii Amugi II has been problematic with litigation and occasional bloody clashes between rival factions.

The Ga Mantse throne became vacant following the death of the disputed claimant, King Tackie Tawiah III, known in private life as Dr. Joe Blankson, in London in 2014.

It could be recalled that on May 5, 2014, the Ga Traditional Council uncustomary and unconstitutionally endorsed Mr. George Tackie, as Ga Mantse whose legitimacy was heavily disputed until a judgment from the Judicial Committee of the Ga Regional House of Chiefs, Dodowa in Accra, declared that “there is no Ga Mantse” till date.

About five persons are claiming to be the legitimate Ga Mantse and this Naa Dedei Omadru III believes does not augur well for the Ga state.

She is calling on the people of the Ga state to support the movement for the installation of a Ga Chief before the Homowo festival to celebrate the annual festival in a grand style who will foster unity and restore peace, and development among the people.