REGSEC calls for peace in Ga State

Accra, June 15, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has called on the people of Accra, especially Ga Mashie and its environs, to remain calm and be law abiding in the midst of confusion following the alleged installation of rival Ga Mantses.

"All interested parties to the Ga Paramount stool who are aggrieved in one way or the other by the installation of another Ga Mantse could seek redress in the appropriate traditional institutions and the courts," REGSEC said in a statement issued in Accra on Wednesday after its meeting on the security implications of the developments.

Some kingmakers on Sunday installed another Ga Mantse under the stool name Nii Boni Tackie Adama Latse II. Supporters of King Tackie Tawiah III, Ga Mantse, have on their part questioned the legitimacy of Nii Adama Latse.

Several people are already questioning the legitimacy of King Tackie Tawiah at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at Dodowa.

Another claimant, Nii Tackie Oblie II, privately known as Aryittey Canada, emerged on Tuesday claiming he was the legitimate heir to the throne and that he had since 2007 been acknowledged as the legitimate Ga Mantse.

REGSEC, which met on Sunday in the developments, said the numerous chieftaincy disputes in the Greater Accra Region were of concern to it and many well-meaning Ghanaians and the Regional Security Council.

It appealed to the different factions in the many chieftaincy disputes to exercise restraint and use the traditional institutions for mediation and the due process of the law in settling these disputes.

It said the nomination and installation of chiefs were the prerogatives of accredited kingmakers and the Government in accordance with the 1992 Constitution would not confer on itself or any other person or authority the right to accord or withdraw recognition to or from a chief for any purpose whatsoever.

REGSEC emphasised that the Government had no hand in the installation of Nii Adama Latse as was being peddled by sections of the general public, adding 93indeed Government does not and will not determine who is a chief".

"The people of Accra, especially Ga Mashie and its environs, should remain calm and be law abiding in the midst of these developments."

The statement said REGSEC's interest was the maintenance of peace and security in the region and assured the general public that adequate security had been provided to ensure that peace was maintained in the region.

"Consequently, REGSEC has directed the security agencies to monitor the developments and take necessary steps to deal decisively with any person who will take the law into his or her own hand," it said.