The Ga State has a new King
Accra, April 14, GNA-
The new Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III, was officially outdoored as the rightful King to lead the people and steer the affairs of the Ga State at a colourful and peaceful coronation ceremony in Accra on Saturday.
Members of the Ga Traditional Council, the Chiefs and Queen-mothers of most of the clans and their followers, Ministers of State, and well-wishers from all walks of live thronged the King's Palace in Accra to witness the coronation ceremony which was characterized by pump and pageantry. Amidst musketry by the warriors, drumming, singing and dancing as well as waving of flags, King Tackie Tawiah III, Known in private life as Dr. Jo Blankson, arrived at the coronation grounds in a Black Mitsubishi Montero guarded by his security men.
There was heavy police presence to provide security and prevent any mishap as a result of the controversy that had surrounded the enstoolment of the new Ga Mantse.
This however, did not deter the people to show their rich culture as the women carried various food items and the various Asafo groups displayed their skills to pay homage to the new King.
The highlight of the ceremony was observed by the slaughtering of a bull by the Warriors and the sprinkling of the blood on the feet of the new King to signify the finality of the process and the acceptance by the ancestors and the people of the King.
In his acceptance speech, King Tackie Tawiah III said with his coronation and the support of the people, the development of the Ga State would move at a fast pace to put her on a pedestal to be admired by all.
"A baby learns how to sit, crawl, stand, and walk before he runs but we have to start by running because our state has lagged behind in so many ways. What do we have to show after 50 years of independence? This has to be corrected as soon as possible"
The Ga Mantse noted that traditional leaders like the Asantehene, Okyenhene and Togbe Afedzi had with the support of the government undertaken many developmental projects for their people because of the peace they enjoyed.
King Tackie Tawiah III advocated the establishment of Ga Development Corporation to mobilse funds to support development and promised to work with all factions and the various clans of the Ga State to move it forward.
He said the population of the Ga State was huge, hence the need for all hands to be on deck.
The new King called for government support to improve on the infrastructure of the various communities as well as to give back the leased lands to the owners after the term had expired. King Tackie Tawiah III expressed the hope that peace would prevail even after the controversies adding, "goodness, oneness and prosperity should be the portion of the Ga State" .
Sheik I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister pledged the support of the government for the new King to move the region forward and said a forum would be held to listen to the concerns of all the people in order to reach a consensus.
He asked for God's blessings and wisdom for the Ga Mantse and urged him to be humble, obedient and work assiduously to bring all the people under one umbrella.
The Minister presented 100 million cedis to the Ga Mantse as government's contribution for the work ahead.
Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture on Saturday called on citizens of the Ga State to bury their differences and forge ahead as one people with a common destiny.
"It is only God who appoints Kings, if you are not a royal there is no way you can become a King".
Mr. Boafo was speaking at the coronation of the King Tackie Tawiah III, the new Ga Mantse at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra. The ceremony attracted hundreds of people who had come from far and near to witness this memorable occasion which occurs ones in a lifetime.
The Ga Mantse Palace went gay as the various Asafo Companies treated the gathering to cultural displays and the incessant beating of fontomfrom drums amid the firing of muskets.
The atmosphere was further charged as the new Ga Mantse arrived at the palace with his retinue of Ga sub-chiefs and warriors who boomed their muskets which shook the durbar grounds.
Mr. Boafo said the chieftaincy in Ghana was a noble institution and called on the people in the Ga State to unite for the development of the area.
"King Tackie Tawiah III is the Jubilee King and all must support him to bring development to the traditional area," he added. Mr. Boafo also stated that about 80 percent of the country's population still believes in the chieftaincy institution and this signifies that the institution was here to stay, "I know the pedigree of King Tackie Tawiah III and I believe that he would be able to bring development to the people," he emphasized.
Mr. Nat Nunoo Amartefio, a former Mayor of Accra also called on the Ga citizens to bury their differences and support the new Ga Mantse to raise the Ga State to the level that it deserves. He said even though some people may have some disagreements on certain issues the coronation of King Tackie Tawiah III should bring to an end all our differences and move the Ga nation forward. Naa Dedei Omadru, Ga Manye, on her part called for peace and unity in the Ga State in order to bring development to the traditional area.
She called for the empowerment of women through skills training and financial assistance to enhance their businesses.
Nii Adote Obuor II, Sempe Mantse, in his welcome address, advised the people of the Ga Traditional Area to rally behind the newly enstooled King in-spite of the petty squabbles because the new Ga Mantse, endorsed by the Ga Tradtional Council, had come to stay. "After the burial of Nii Amugi II, there was the need for a new Ga Mantse to steer the affairs of the state. There was confusion over the selection but the Dzaase (Kingmakers ) had found a solution by choosing Dr. Jo Balnkson. Whether he is good or not he will lead us."
He said a new Dzaasetse, Nii Tetteh Kwei II had also been outdoored to work together with the Ga Mantse to speed up the development of the Ga Traditional area and called on the people to give them their maximum support.
King Tackie Tawaih III was born to Madam Mary Lartey of the Asere Dzorshie Royal Family and Joseph Blankson Lartey, a Chief Spokesperson of the Ga State and a grandson of King Tackie Tawaih I.
Source:
GNA
Donyina launches development projects
Donyina (Ash), April 14, GNA -
The chiefs and people of Donyina in the Ejisu-Juaben District of Ashanti have launched 300 million-cedi development projects aimed at improving some facilities to give the community a facelift.
The projects include the completion of the local Presbyterian Primary and Junior Secondary schools, the provision of two 12-seater vault chamber toilets, the rehabilitation of the local Catholic Primary, JSS and District Assembly schools and the preparation of a new layout of the town.
Mr M Dwomor-Sarpong, Assemblyman, who launched the projects, said special levies of 20,000 cedis and 10,000 cedis for resident males and females respectively had been instituted to finance the projects, while non-resident males and females would pay 40,000 cedis and 20,000 cedis. Mr Dwomor-Sarpong, who is also the Presiding Member of the Ejisu-Juaben District Assembly, added that apart from the contributions, citizens of the town in the United Kingdom and the United States of America would be the major financiers of the projects. Nana Addo-Fordwuor, Head of the Royal Bretuo family and an Assistant Director of Education used the occasion to explain the new education reform to the people.
He stressed the need for the youth in the area to develop great interest in education and take their studies more seriously while urging parents to offer the needed attention to their wards and children's education.
Nana Addo-Fordwuor appealed to teachers in the town to complement the efforts of the people to improve school facilities by showing commitment to their day-to-day activities in their respective schools. Mr Peter Atta Bimpeh, a businessman in the town who donated 20 million cedis to support the projects, advised the people to contribute their quota to help facilitate the overall development of the area. Nana Boakye Ansah, Gyaasehene, who presided commended the communal spirit of the people and urged them to sustain it since self-help approach was the best way to get the area developed. He announced that already the people through communal effort had extended electricity to the new residential area and were now rehabilitating the worn-out wires in the old township.
Source:
GNA
15-year-old boy brutalised by landguards
Kasoa (C/R), April 14, GNA -
A group of landguards at Asabahan near Amamfrom in the Ga West District who chased a businessman to his house to seek revenge for daring to report their conduct to the police after their release from custody, pounced on his 15-year-old brother, who was alone at home and brutalised him, in the process burning him on the face with a stick of cigarette.
Edward Aguh, a primary class six pupil told the Ghana News Agency that a group of young men led by one Abdallah invaded their home on April 11, wielding offensive weapons like guns machetes and cudgels at Kasoa, while his elder brother Alex Ofotsu was not at home. Master Aguh mentioned the names of some of his assailants as Kwame Landguard, Red and Taller.
He said they demanded to know where his brother was and as soon as he told them he had gone out they held him, flogged him with the blunt edge of a cutlass for a while and threatened to kill him if he did not show them his brother's whereabouts.
Master Aguh said at a point two of them held him firmly while one burnt him on the face with a stick of cigarette he was smoking, all in an attempt to break him down to disclose where his brother was. Mr Ofotsu, 34, who confirmed his brother's story said the police arrested 15 men including his brother's assailants on December 27 last year, following a complaint he had lodged against them.
He said soon after their release on bail, they invaded his house apparently to take the law into their own hands in seeking revenge on him, but did not meet him at home and so sought to "punish" his brother in his absence.
Mr Ofotsu said he had reported the latest development to the police at Kasoa, who were investigating the matter.
Source:
GNA
Police impound stolen GT, ECG cables
Fomena (Ash), April 14, GNA -
The police at Fomena on Easter Monday impounded large quantities of cables concealed in over 60 bags and hidden in a temporary structure at Adansi-Asokwa in the Adansi North District of Ashanti.
The cables are believed to belong to the Ghana Telecom (GT) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
So far, five persons including one Atuley Anabile, landlord, whose compound the temporary structure in which the cables were found was situated, Ali Issa, 17, Simon Norsor, 22, Issa Amadu, 29, and Issa Mohammed, 30, all resident at Obuasi, have been arrested by the police. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) P A Gamiah, Fomena District Police Commander, who took the Ghana News Agency in the company of the District Chief Executive, Mr Peter Kwabena Ameyaw to inspect the impounded cables, said the police upon a tip-off that a structure at Adansi-Asokwa had been stored with stolen cables and aluminium products awaiting evacuation, acted quickly to impound them. he was preparing to go to the bush when a group of people led by one Issa, approached him that they were second-hand scrap dealers and wanted a piece of land to put up a structure.
DSP Gamiah said the five persons are in custody assisting the police in further investigations since cable thefts were becoming rampant in the country.
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GNA
JJ Rawlings arrives in Den Hague
The former president of Ghana, retired Flt Lt. John Jerry Rawlings arrived in the Netherlands today to participate in the Africa day scheduled to take place on saturday,the 14 april, 2007, in Den Hague.
The Africa Day is one of the biggest Dutch Events that focuses on the development and cooperation in Africa.Many guest speakers from the Netherlands ,Ghana, South-Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Liberia and Benin will take part in the Africa Day's Forum. This year, retired Flt Lt. Jerry Rawlings (former President of Ghana), Mr. Bert Koenders (Minister of Development Cooperation) and Dr. Mo Ibrahim (founder of Celtel) are among our keynote speakers,about1500 visitors are expected to attend this event.
The NDC branch in Amsterdam-Netherlands were at the Schipol Airport to welcome the founder the the National Democratic Congress, a bonquet of flowers was presented to the former president by Miss Dede Armah. Some of the members of the Interim Executive and NDC Party faithfuls who were present includes Mr Pat Dogbe (Uncle Pat) chairman, Mr P.A.S. Quarshie,the Director of operations,Anita Arthur-nyann (Women Organiser), Babara williams (Financial Secretary) Madam Gifty Manukure(WISPA,Director), Mr.Frank Bonney, Nii Patapa and others. The former president John Jerry Rawlings was accompanied by the former Deputy Defence Minister,Dr.Tony Aidoo.
Source:
John Macnally-Boateng (Radio Recogin)
Govt urged to eject squatters from unauthorised areas
Elmina (C/R), April 14, GNA-
Nana Kodwo Conduah IV, Omanhene of the Edina Traditional Area, on Friday exhorted the Government to exhibit a strong political will to eject squatters from unauthorised areas to pave way for development projects and not to heed threats of "we will not vote for you."
He asked government to collaborate with traditional rulers to ensure accelerated development since all Ghanaians would benefit from developments projects being executed.
Nana Conduah made the call when Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, led a team of experts to inspect the progress of work on the Benya Lagoon-Restoration Project at Elimina.
The 12 million Euro Belgian Government assisted project, which started in November last year, among others involved the dredging of the lagoon and the entrance channel.
The removal of amour blocks scattered at the entrance of the port and construction of 116- metre long lee breakwater and sand traps to serve as a buffer against future siltation would also be carried out. Nana Conduah commended the Minister for "taking time off his busy schedule to inspect the project," and urged other Ministers of State to emulate him.
The Omanhene said this was imperative because poorly executed projects such as school buildings resulted in ripping of roofs during rainstorm because of lack of supervision and monitoring of projects by people in high authority.
Nana Conduah commended government for implementing the lagoon restoration project and said it would bring immense benefits to the local people and the country.
Mr Owusu Agyeman said it was time for Ghanaians to treat water bodies " strategically" to help preserve them for posterity. He said this would help minimize the effect of global warming and warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and defecating, especially into water bodies, which resulted in the extinction of some water bodies.
Mr Owusu Agyeman expressed satisfaction at the progress of work, which he said would on completion enable about 700 boats to land on the lagoon and help improve upon the socio-economic conditions of the people of Elimina whose main livelihood was fishing. He commended the contractors, consultants and engineers undertaking the project for their hard work and urged the people to support the project.
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GNA
Three Ghanaian works of arts launched
Accra, April 14, GNA-
Three Ghanaian works of arts, which sought to revive Ghana's old highlife tunes as well as preserve the cultural heritage of the people, was on Friday launched in Accra.
The works, which included a brand new album from the Wulomei group, "Elimina" a folk song by Kari Bannerman, a leading Ghanaian guitarists, and "AMA" a film set in the English Countryside about a 12-year old Ghanaian who had contact with ancestral spirit through a computer diskette.
The Wulomei group, which was without some of their old members, treated the audience to some of their old renditions, who applauded the group for its superb show.
Professor Atokwei Okine, celebrated Ghanaian poets also entertain the crowd with his creative recitals and illustrations. Dr Kofi Owusu, the Chief Executive of Creative Storm, who organized the show, said his motivation for putting the programme together was his childhood contact and memories about the Wulomei group in the 1970's at Tema.
He said the group was wonderful in their performance and came out with very beautiful songs with his favourite being "meridian". Dr Owusui also said some of the tracks on the new Wulomei album has been infused with hip-life and jazz lyrics, which could be enjoyed by both the young and old.
Source:
GNA
One Ga State -Three Kings?
Accra (Ghanaian Times) -- With only a day to the planned coronation in Accra of Dr. Jo Blankson, as Ga Mantse, another person has been introduced to the seven clans in Ga Mashie as the new Ga Mantse.
Henry Nii Ayitey Ayitey, 53, was yesterday introduced by elders of Abola Piam, one of the four Ga Royal Gates, to the five out of seven clans in Ga Mashie, as the new Ga Mantse under the stool name, Nii Tackie Obli II.
He is the third person to have been nominated by the royal houses to succeed the late Ga Mantse, Boni Nii Amugi II, who was buried last January. The other two are Dr. Jo Blanskon and Kelvin Tackie, both who hail from the Teiko Tsuru We.
Amidst jubilation from followers clad in white, Nii Obli was taken to the five houses where libation was poured and a ram slaughtered to signify the acceptance of his nomination.
Nii Obli, a professional printer and publisher, is said to have been selected by the kingmakers about one and half years ago and was put in confinement for about a week as custom demanded. The houses where he was taken to were, Dantu We, Kokloto We, Asere We, Ardey Akwa We, and Frimpong We. Family sources told the Times that he would be taken to the two remaining clans, Agbon We and Sakumo We, on Tuesday to complete the introduction process.
He was introduced to the elders in the houses by the elders of Abola We, where he comes from amidst the firing of musketry, singing and dancing in the streets of Ga Mashie.
The introduction of the new chief coincided with a news conference by the leadership of the Ga Paramount Dzaase, the customary group mandated to instal Ga Mantse, at which the Head of Dzaase, Nii Yaote Oto-Ga declared the Dzaase’s intention to resist the planned coronation of Dr. Blankson as Ga Mantse on Saturday.
Nii Yaote Oto-Ga, told the Times on phone after the introduction of Nii Obli that the Dzaase is not in support of his nomination either because there were some irregularities in his selection and nomination.
"They are only adding up to the confusion," he stated, adding that the kingmakers would soon introduce the rightful successor to the throne.
Dr. Blankson was the first to have been announced publicly as the successor to the stool but his selection and nomination was challenged by the Dzaase and three royal houses who maintained that he did not qualify.
It was followed by the announcement by Nii Teiko Tsuru We, just a day to the burial of the late Ga Mantse on January 27, that Kelvin Nii Tackie, as the legitimate candidate for the stool.
...Ga Dzaase Warns Jo Blankson Faction
THE Ga Dzaase, the traditional group mandated to install Ga Mantse, says it will resist the planned coronation tomorrow of Dr. Jo Blankson, as Ga Mantse.
"We serve notice that the impunity and illegalities being perpetrated by Dr. Jo Blankson, the Ga Traditional Council and their cohorts in flouting all laid down procedures in connection with the installation of Ga Mantse will no longer be tolerated.
"The central authority of the Ga Paramount Stool Dzaase, Abola, and the Asere Stools, who are custodians of the Ga paramount stool processes in installing a king, will resist with all the power at our disposal, any attempt to subvert and desecrate the Ga State," Nii Yaote Oto-Ga II, Dzaasetse, said at a news conference in Accra yesterday. He said the planned coronation is not only illegal but alien to Ga custom and usage since customary rites of a Ga Mantse is done only at Amugi Naa or Mojawe.
The news conference, which was characterised by the singing of war songs by a large group of people clad in red attire and armbands, was also attended by a number of elders including the heads of four royal houses making up the Dzaase which consist of Teiko Tsuru We, Tackie Komme We, Amugi We and Abola Piam We.
The Ga Traditional Council, has said the coronation of Dr. Blankson, as Ga Mantse under the stool name of King Tackie Tawiah III will come off as scheduled on Saturday in spite of a number of suits against his nomination and installation.
But Nii Oto-Ga said the Dzaase has exercised extreme restraint in the face of all provocations to ensure that peace is maintained in the Ga State, but noted that the "blantant impunity with which Dr. Jo Blankson and his agents want to take over the Ga stool despite legitimate and peaceful resistance and the pursuit of due process of the law, is a recipe for lawlessness and chaos in the metropolis.
He noted that the Dzaase cannot guarantee peace in the Ga state if the coronation is not stopped, especially because the Dzaase may not be able to restrain the youth in disturbances that might develop.
Nii Oto-Ga explained the customary processes for the nomination and installation of a Ga Mantse saying that Dr. Blankson did not go through the process rending his nomination and planned coronation a violation of Ga tradition and custom.
For instance, he said, a new Ga Mantse is never nominated and enstooled to succeed a deceased Ga Mantse when he has not been buried as was done in the case of Dr. Blankson.
In addition, he said Dr. Blankson’s nomination and selection was done without the participation of all the accredited kingmakers, which is a basic requirement for the occupation of the Ga Paramount Stool.
Nii Oto-Ga explained that Nii Akropong III, head of Teiko Tsuru We and Nii Tetteh Ashong IV, Seitse (Stool father) of the Ga Paramountcy who performed the selection and nomination, when summoned before the Nai Wulomo admitted their guilt for violating custom after which they paid various fines. The Nai Wulomo, thereafter, declared the enstoolment null and void.
"Dr. Blankson does not hail from the patrilineal line of succession. He is a grandson of Amerley-Nkpa, daughter of King Tackie Tawiah I and the son of the late Blankson Lartey from Gbese Manhean who does not hail from a chiefly line," he said.
He said it was sad that although Dr. Blankson’s purported nomination was the subject of suits pending before the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, he unlawfully continues to hold himself out as Ga Mantse.
"We shall fight to preserve our heritage, dignity and respect we enjoy in the Ga-Dangme State," he declared adding, "we know we are fighting a just cause and we shall overcome".
Nii Oto-Ga expressed concern about the interference of the Ga Traditional Council in the matter, saying that although the council is aware of the irregularities, it is supporting the illegality.
"The Ga Traditional Council has acted contrary to Ga custom and traditions by accepting and inducting Dr. Blankson into the council as its president.
"The Council has no mandate to nominate, select and enstool a Ga Mantse," Nii Oto-Ga stated.
He deplored the use of the security agencies to provide protection for Dr. Blankson and the Ga Traditional Council, in carrying out their activities against the wishes of the Dzaase, but said: "we shall not be intimidated or coerced by such show of force."
He advised all invited guests to the coronation to "ignore the invitation to celebrate impunity and illegality."
Nii Oto-Ga also urged corporate bodies that have received letters of appeal for support to ignore it since it is a shame that the Council is asking for support when we are yet to formally acknowledge the earlier support given to the Ga State during the funeral of the late King, Boni Nii Amugi II.
"We appeal to the conscience of all in Ga leadership, the government, parliament, judiciary, religious bodies and human rights groups to uphold the truth, and to reject impunity and lawlessness."
He gave the assurance that "the rightful kingmakers will pursue and carry this agenda to its logical conclusion to elect the right and acceptable king in the long term interest of the Ga people.
He thanked President J.A. Kufuor for advising the delegation that invited him to the coronation to settle all differences, and urged all invited guests to take a cue from the President’s advice.
When contacted for their comment on the controversies generated by the impending coronation, the police said that they had officially been informed of the event and were ready to provide minimum security at the ceremony.
If on the other hand, the opposing faction goes to court to secure an injunction against ceremony, the police will respect the court’s order, Inspector Kwaku Dompreh, Regional Police Public Relations Office told the Times yesterday.
Source:
Ghanaian Times