Nii Adjei Koofeh IV
THE SHIKITELE (Kingmaker) of La, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, has hit back at the suspension of the La Traditional Council by the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MoCRA) and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs (GARHC).
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in a letter dated September 9, 2024, suspended the operations of the Council indefinitely, and directed all government institutions not to engage the Council or its members pending the installation of a new La Mantse (Paramount Chief), among other directives.
“Furtherance to our earlier deliberations in relation to the smooth operation of the La tradition with the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and the Registrar of the House, the House and Ministry has come to a conclusion that the operations of the La Traditional Council should be suspended starting from 26th September, 2024 till further notice.
“This is to allow both the Regional House and the Ministry to put in place proper measures that will allow for the smooth running of the Council”, the letter stated.
The basis for the suspension of the Council was not stated in the letter, however, reports allege that it was based on the Council’s failure to admit some two chiefs into the Council upon the instructions of the Regional House of Chiefs and the Ministry
Following the news of the suspension, reports emerged, alleging that the La Shikitele – a key member of the Council – was responsible for the non-admission of the said chiefs and that he was also involved in some unlawful dealings such as the sale of La lands and the misappropriation of funds, among others.
Addressing the allegations at a press conference in La yesterday, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, La Shikitele refuted the claims and set the records straight from his personal point on the impasse responsible for the suspension of the Council.
Background
According to Nii Shikitele, the Ministry, together with the GARCH had directed that the two gentlemen– Nii Kwaade Okropong (Abese Adonten Mantse) and Nii Adjei Boahen II (Nmati Abonase Mantse) – be admitted into the Council but the directive was turned down.
This was on grounds that some families from some clans in the hailing quarters of the two gentlemen had challenged their legitimacy as chiefs, which matters were referred to court.
Additionally, no ceremony to officially select and install the said gentlemen as chiefs for their quarters were done for them and therefore could not hold themselves out as chiefs.
At a meeting with the Ministry and the GARHC, the Council explained the situation to them, adding that it would be contemptuous on their part to admit the two gentlemen into the Council when their cases were still in court awaiting resolution.
However, the two bodies insisted that they be admitted even while their cases were still pending in court; and without taking time to carry out any investigation, wrote to suspend the operations of the Councilindefinitely.
Legality
Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, La Shikitele, challenged the legality of the suspension of the Council by the Ministry saying there was no provision in Ghana’s constitution that enables a government institution to suspend or take any such decision against a traditional council.
Citing Article 70 of the Constitution which defines the institution of chieftaincy and its legal remits, Nii Shikitele stressed that the directive from the Regional House of Chiefs and the Ministry to admit the two gentlemen is “a threat to peace”.
Negative Precedent
According to him, going ahead to admit the two gentlemen into the Council while their issues, which are originally from their own clans were in court, would set a negative precedent for the Council and the people of La.
“If we are to go ahead and admit them into the Council, then it means that tomorrow, anyone can wake up and say ‘I am a chief, so admit me into the Council’. What this means is that, soon, we will be having the Council filled with unqualified persons which would in the long run, affect the dignity and sanctity of the Council”, he intimated.
He said just recently, two chiefs – from the Klanaa and Agbawe quarters – were admitted into the Council after they had satisfied all necessary customary requirements; and that allegations that the Council was not admitting persons were all false.
He said traditional councils play specific roles in their given societies and that such decisions, as the one against La, could cause chaos and lawlessness in the township as there would be no body to oversee administrative activities for the area.
BY Nii Adjei Mensahfio