Tension Brews In Ga State As Appeal Court Sets 12 June To Give Judgement On Ga Mantse Chieftaincy Case!

An Appeal Court has set aside Tuesday 12 June, 2024 to give judgment on the Ga Royal Paramount Stool chieftaincy dispute.

This pending judgment was in relation to an appeal application filed by kingmakers of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, known in his private name as Dr Kelvin Nii Tackie Abia Tackie seeking the prevention of the reinstatement of the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Adama Latse II into national register of chiefs.

The elders and kingmakers of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II were reported to have ordered the membership of the National House of Chiefs to expunge or remove the name of Nii Tackie Adama Latse from the national register of chiefs, the situation which has created tension and confusion in the Ga State.

However, in  2021, the Fast Track High Court in Kumasi, has ordered the National House of Chiefs to restore or re-enter the name of King Tackie Adama Latse II, in the National Register of Chiefs as the Ga Mantse (Paramount Chief of the Ga State).

The Court, presided over by Mr Justice Frederick Tetteh gave the National House of Chiefs 14 days beginning November 11, 2021, within which the order must be carried out.

The said judgment was in response to an application seeking for the reinstatement of the name expunged from the register. 

It follows an earlier court ruling granting that George Tackie Abia or Nii Tackie Adama II, be prohibited from performing his duties as king until an appropriate body or institution determine who was the legitimate occupant of the Ga Mantse stool”.

The court ruling in favour of Nii Tackie Adama Latse II, ordering the National House of Chiefs to restore the name into the National Register of Chiefs, awarded him GH¢25,000 as compensation for the actions of the respondents. 

According to the Court ruling, the National House of Chiefs unlawfully and unjustifiably acted ultra vires expunging the name of the Nii Tackie Adama II, (Applicant from the National Register of Chiefs. In the ruling, the High Court held that the National House of Chiefs (Respondent) unlawful and unjustifiable deletion or expunging of the name of the the Applicant herein was arbitrary and prejudicial.

 It further contended that the refusal and or failure of the Respondent to re-enter the name of the Applicant herein in the National Register of Chiefs as being against the principle of natural justice.

 Concerning the latter court case, there was contention between George Tackie Abia and one Dr Kelvin Abia Tackie over the stool.

Following this development, the elders and kingmakers from faction of Dr Kelvin King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II including the membership of the National House of Chiefs have completely kicked against the judgment of High Court.

However, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and his kingmakers including the membership of the National House of Chiefs went to Appeal Court to file appeal against the judgment of High Court.

The trial of the case has been delayed in Appeal Court without giving judgment, compelling the decision of the faction of Nii Tackie Adama Latse II to pursue the case and that recently the two parties have filed their submissions.

However, this news outlet has learnt that the Appeal Court is expected to give final judgment on the Ga chieftaincy dispute on June 12, 2025.

The judgment would determine whether or not the appeal application filed against the High Court judgment by the kingmakers and elders of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II would be sustained.

The judgment will also determine whether or not the earlier judgment by the High Court affirming reinstatement of the chieftaincy status name of Nii Tackie Adama Latse II into the national register of chiefs will also be sustained.

If the appeal by the kingmakers and elders of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II was thrown out by Appeal Court, which means that  automatically the NHCs should be expected to reinstate the name of Nii Tackie Adama Latse II into the national register of chiefs as a legitimate installed Paramount Chief of Ga Teadtional Area