Accra: Nii Yaotey Oto Ga II, the Dzasetse of the Ga Paramount Stool, has called on the National House of Chiefs to immediately restore the name of Nii Tackie Adama Latse II into the national register of chiefs as the Ga Mantse, to ensure justice and peace.
According to Ghana News Agency, this follows a Court of Appeal order on June 12, which ordered the National House of Chiefs, Kumasi, to restore Nii Tackie Adama Latse II to the national register of chiefs within 14 days. The Court's decision, which affirmed a high court order from November 2021, held that the National House of Chiefs, Kumasi, removed Nii Latse II's name from the register without any evidence of valid destoolment, a necessary condition to remove a chief's name from the national register.
The National House of Chiefs has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the rulings of both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Nii Yaotey Oto Ga, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Theophilus Kingsley Quartey, Deputy Secretary, Ga Dzasetse, during a news conference in Accra, expressed surprise at the stance of the National House of Chiefs, stating it violated the 1992 Constitution that established the House.
He highlighted that under Article 270(3)(b) of the 1992 Constitution, the National House of Chiefs is required to establish a procedure for the registration of chiefs and publicly notify the status of persons as chiefs in Ghana. Per the customs of the Ga State, Nii Latse II was properly installed in 2011 after the seat became vacant following the demise of Boni Nii Amugi II, Ga Mantse, in 2004.
Nii Yaotey Ga noted that due to extended chieftaincy disputes, it was not until April 24, 2015, that Nii Latse II was officially recognized by the National House of Chiefs as the legitimate Ga Mantse after approval from the Ga Traditional Council and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs. He mentioned that King Tackie Adama Latse II was admitted into the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs on October 17, 2017.
He criticized the subsequent installation of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II as Ga Mantse as 'unlawful' and questioned the National House of Chiefs' decision to take a stance rather than act impartially. He urged the House to uphold the rule of law, appealing for the withdrawal of the case from both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
The Dzasetse appealed to Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, to intervene in the dispute to uphold justice and peace in the Ga State. He urged the people of the Ga State to remain calm to ensure continued peace.
Naa Ode Adenku I, Development Queen of Akanmaje Traditional Area, speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Ga Queen Mothers, urged queens and youth to avoid taking sides in the dispute to prevent confusion. She emphasized the need for peace, unity, and stability, and called for an end to insults and attacks, advocating for unity in the Ga State.
