Claimants to the Ga stool have been restrained from playing any active role in the celebration of Homowo festival by the Ga people of Greater Accra.
This means all the three persons, Nii Tackie Oblie and Nii Adama Latse II and Nii Teiko Tsuru II, who are embroiled in the Ga chieftaincy, are barred from leading or playing active role in the festival which begun on June 11.
“All parties involved in the chieftaincy issues should not involve themselves in any traditional role in connection with the Homowo festival,” a statement issued by the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs warned.
The decision was reached by the Committee this week in a move to ensure peace during and after the celebration until a Ga Mantse is found and enstooled.
According to the council, they will re-assemble on June 26 to give further directions on the matter
The death of Manste Nii Amugi in 2004 marked the beginning of a chieftaincy crisis within the Ga state, threatening the peace and security of the people with several violent clashes over the years.
In January this year, the Ga Traditional Council appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo to establish a commission to decide the most suitable person for the Ga stool, as several attempts by various judicial bodies have failed in their attempts at settling the dispute.
Spokesperson for the Council, Nii Otu Blafo, at a meeting with Nana Akufo-Addo said they have been struggling in finding a successor to Nii Amugi.
“There have been several violent clashes because of the absence of a Ga Mantse,” Nii Otu Blafo said.
He added: “We believe that with the emergence of a commission of inquiry, the problems of the Ga state will end. The truth will be told and we will know which houses are ruling houses and whose turn it is to emerge as Ga Mantse”.
President Akufo-Addo at the time expressed surprise that the dispute has not been resolved by the Judicial Council of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chief.
He said he would have to consult with his legal team to advice on whether such a commission have the power to declare any of the claimants as the legitimate occupant of the Ga Stool.
“The commission of inquiry will not have the power to declare royalty in a way in which the Judicial Committee can,” Nana Akufo-Addo observed.
By 3news.com|Ghana