NHC calls for unity to solve Ga Mashie chieftaincy problem

Kumasi, June 29, GNA - The National House of Chiefs (NHC) has urged all well meaning sons and daughters of the Ga Traditional Area to work together to end the confusion that had arisen as a result of installing a rival chief.

Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa Professor John S. Nabila, President of the House, said recent developments in the Ga Traditional Area had not been helpful to the image of chiefs.

"We appeal to the various contestants, kingmakers, chieftaincy houses or gates, wulomei, queen-mothers, Ga senior citizens and all sons and daughters of Ga Mashie, including the youth, to help put a stop to the chaos affecting the institution of chieftaincy in the Ga Traditional Area."

Naa Professor John S. Nabila was speaking at the Second General Meeting of the NHC in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The NHC, however, condemned the installation of a rival Ga Mantse, saying it did not create a good image of the chieftaincy institution.

Naa Professor Nabila said a report to the NHC from the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs indicated that the case brought before the House, challenging the legitimacy of King Tackie Tawiah III was almost completed.

He said the installation of a new Ga Mantse whilst the case was still pending before a Judicial Committee of the Regional House at Dodowa should therefore be a source of worry to everybody.

Naa Professor Nabila pointed out that as community leaders, chiefs must work hand in hand with the law enforcement agencies but not to create conditions that could ignite trouble and break down law and order.

He said he was happy that what was happening I Ga Mashie had not affected other areas such as La, Tema, osu, Nungua, James Town, Teshie and Ngleshie Alata and encouraged chiefs of those areas to join in efforts at bringing about peace.

Naa Professor Nabila appealed to the government to provide the NHC with the needed funding to complete the compilation and subsequent codification of customary laws and lines of succession applicable to each stool or skin as mandated by the 1992 Constitution.

This, according to him, was the only way to end disputes over stools and s= kins.

Naa Professor Nabila called on the Regional Houses of Chiefs to establish mediation committees and work hard to reduce chieftaincy conflicts.

He used the occasion to underline the need for politicians to desist from the use of intemperate language in the media ahead of next year's general election.