By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 30 November 2007
President John Agyekum Kufuor has asked the government of the United States of America to consider going beyond the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to provide support towards developing the industrial potential of the country.
He said it was only by having a developed industrial base that Ghana and other African countries could effectively participate and benefit from the facilities under AGOA.
The President told a Congressional delegation from the US that called on him at the Castle, Osu, in Accra on Tuesday that Ghana is appreciative of the support, but called for support in developing "our industrial minds."
AGOA, a US Trade Act that significantly enhances US market access for currently 39 Sub-Saharan African countries, grants the export of 6,400 duty free commodities from Africa to the US.
But President Kufuor stressed the need for the capacities of industries in Ghana and other African countries to produce more for export to the US market in taking advantage of AGOA.
Touching on security on the continent, President Kufuor, who is also the African Union Chairman, called for cooperation between Africa and the US, especially improving peace keeping operations in conflict zones on the continent, such as Sudan and Somalia.
"Africa truly needs cooperation on the security front," the President said.
He urged the six-member delegation from the US Congress to assist in getting the entire Congress "to appreciate the potential in here" so that Congress will not hesitate to approve any support facility for Africa.
He noted that Africa is lifting herself out of poverty and conflict and will count on the support of her friends such as the US.
Senator James Inhofe, a member of the Armed Services Committee of the US Senate, who led the delegation, commended President Kufuor for contributing to the progress of Ghana and the AU.
He said the delegation earlier met with the Defence Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah to discuss areas of need for the country, and hoped that there would be some collaboration to address the identified challenges.
Also at the Castle was a delegation of African trades union leaders and executives of the newly founded International Trades Union Organisation (Africa Regional Organisation).
Led by Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, the delegation was at the Castle to inform the President of the formation of the new union which is now the main labour union for Africa.
The new union is a merger of two major trade unions namely the International Confederation of Free Trade Union with the African Regional Organisation as its African wing and the World Confederation of Labour, having its African wing as the Democratic Organisation of African Workers Trade Union.
Mr. Adu-Amankwah, told the President that the merger reflects happenings around the globe in which unions are merging to consolidate the labour front and to improve the welfare of workers.
President Kufuor congratulated them on the merger and commended them for the objective of helping to protect and improve the welfare of workers.
He was particularly happy that the merger took place in Ghana, and reminded them of the need to partner government to advance the wellbeing of the labour force saying public-private partnership has become vital for socio-economic development.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
GIFEX Back Next Year
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 30 November 2007
A 13-member council tasked to plan and promote the Ghana International Furniture and Woodworking Industry Exhibition (GIFEX) for 2008 was inaugurated in Accra yesterday.
GIFEX is an international multi stakeholder exhibition that brings together local and foreign companies and institutions in the timber and wood products industry to promote the development of the industry.
The biennial exhibition, introduced by the Forestry Commission in 1985 but suspended since 1997 due to some challenges, aims at promoting the Ghanaian wood and timber industry towards making the country a hub for quality wood products in West Africa.
The council, chaired by Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, constitutes representatives of relevant organisations including the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Ghana Timber Millers Association and Ghana Investment Promotion Council.
In addition, sub-committees on works and services, operations, finance and marketing and public affairs were inaugurated to support the council to plan the event which is expected to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre between October 17 and 27, 2008.
Alhassan Atta, Executive Director of TIDD, inaugurating the council’s sub-committees, urged them to evolve development measures to create awareness about the potentials of the wood industry to contribute immensely to economic growth.
He said it was possible for the country’s wood industry to move from primary processing to a leading secondary processor of wood in the sub-region. To achieve this, he said would require the commitment of all stakeholders in the industry.
He hoped that the Forestry Commission would provide the necessary support and resources to enable the committee to deliver in the interest of the wood industry.
Friday, 30 November 2007
A 13-member council tasked to plan and promote the Ghana International Furniture and Woodworking Industry Exhibition (GIFEX) for 2008 was inaugurated in Accra yesterday.
GIFEX is an international multi stakeholder exhibition that brings together local and foreign companies and institutions in the timber and wood products industry to promote the development of the industry.
The biennial exhibition, introduced by the Forestry Commission in 1985 but suspended since 1997 due to some challenges, aims at promoting the Ghanaian wood and timber industry towards making the country a hub for quality wood products in West Africa.
The council, chaired by Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, constitutes representatives of relevant organisations including the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Ghana Timber Millers Association and Ghana Investment Promotion Council.
In addition, sub-committees on works and services, operations, finance and marketing and public affairs were inaugurated to support the council to plan the event which is expected to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre between October 17 and 27, 2008.
Alhassan Atta, Executive Director of TIDD, inaugurating the council’s sub-committees, urged them to evolve development measures to create awareness about the potentials of the wood industry to contribute immensely to economic growth.
He said it was possible for the country’s wood industry to move from primary processing to a leading secondary processor of wood in the sub-region. To achieve this, he said would require the commitment of all stakeholders in the industry.
He hoped that the Forestry Commission would provide the necessary support and resources to enable the committee to deliver in the interest of the wood industry.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Procurement Body Probes Complaints
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) is probing complaints of unfairness in the tender process by a number of suppliers and contractors.
An Appeals and Complaints Panel, recently set up by the PPA, is probing the complaints of the contractors and suppliers who are not happy with the tender process in which they participated, says Agyenim-Boateng Adjei, Chief Executive Officer of the PPA.
Many of the aggrieved contractors and suppliers, who are said to have lost contract biddings, complain of irregularities in the tender process.
Mr. Adjei told a Meet the Press, session in Accra yesterday that the panel, which has representations, from the Attorney-General’s Office and the Chamber of Commerce, "is tasked to undertake administrative review of cases brought up by aggrieved parties of the procurement process."
Meanwhile, all complaints, "most of which were shrouded in suspicion and lacked clarity, received by the Authority prior to the inauguration of the Panel, have been exhaustively investigated and decisions taken accordingly," he said but did not disclose the outcome of the investigations.
Mr. Adjei, who used the conference to brief the media on the progress of the Authority, reminded all procuring entities of Section 65 of the Public Procurement Act 2003(Act 663) which mandates them to notify all unsuccessful bidders of the award of contracts after the relevant contract is in force, specifying details of the successful winner and the contact price.
"This, we believe, if complied with, will ensure a greater transparency and efficiency in Ghana’s public procurement system," he stated.
Citing challenges to the present public procurement system, he noted that the biggest challenge to the reforms taking place was that the fiscal decentralisation in the public sector has placed procurement responsibility on many public entities, many of whom were not prepared for that role.
"Various studies and reviews of the current state of the public procurement system have revealed that the general lack of professional input in the public procurement and contracting process, has led to the various adhoc arrangement including the use of external expertise at various stages of the procurement process," he said.
For instance, he said the initial assessment of selected entities revealed that majority of practitioners involved in pubic procurement lacked the professional expertise and knowledge of the law governing the practice.
That, he noted, places them at a disadvantage in ensuring that the right practices prescribed by law were adhered to.
To help address this and other challenges, Mr. Adjei said the Authority has developed a three-year strategic plan to develop the capacity of personnel and institutions as well as sensitise all stakeholders about the guidelines and policies for public procurement in the country.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) is probing complaints of unfairness in the tender process by a number of suppliers and contractors.
An Appeals and Complaints Panel, recently set up by the PPA, is probing the complaints of the contractors and suppliers who are not happy with the tender process in which they participated, says Agyenim-Boateng Adjei, Chief Executive Officer of the PPA.
Many of the aggrieved contractors and suppliers, who are said to have lost contract biddings, complain of irregularities in the tender process.
Mr. Adjei told a Meet the Press, session in Accra yesterday that the panel, which has representations, from the Attorney-General’s Office and the Chamber of Commerce, "is tasked to undertake administrative review of cases brought up by aggrieved parties of the procurement process."
Meanwhile, all complaints, "most of which were shrouded in suspicion and lacked clarity, received by the Authority prior to the inauguration of the Panel, have been exhaustively investigated and decisions taken accordingly," he said but did not disclose the outcome of the investigations.
Mr. Adjei, who used the conference to brief the media on the progress of the Authority, reminded all procuring entities of Section 65 of the Public Procurement Act 2003(Act 663) which mandates them to notify all unsuccessful bidders of the award of contracts after the relevant contract is in force, specifying details of the successful winner and the contact price.
"This, we believe, if complied with, will ensure a greater transparency and efficiency in Ghana’s public procurement system," he stated.
Citing challenges to the present public procurement system, he noted that the biggest challenge to the reforms taking place was that the fiscal decentralisation in the public sector has placed procurement responsibility on many public entities, many of whom were not prepared for that role.
"Various studies and reviews of the current state of the public procurement system have revealed that the general lack of professional input in the public procurement and contracting process, has led to the various adhoc arrangement including the use of external expertise at various stages of the procurement process," he said.
For instance, he said the initial assessment of selected entities revealed that majority of practitioners involved in pubic procurement lacked the professional expertise and knowledge of the law governing the practice.
That, he noted, places them at a disadvantage in ensuring that the right practices prescribed by law were adhered to.
To help address this and other challenges, Mr. Adjei said the Authority has developed a three-year strategic plan to develop the capacity of personnel and institutions as well as sensitise all stakeholders about the guidelines and policies for public procurement in the country.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Assemblies Told To Ensure Effective Management
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, has asked district assemblies to develop adequate measures towards effective management of their economies.
He said it is possible for the country to attain middle income status and achieve the Millennium Challenges Goals by 2015 "if our district assemblies are able to manage and control their local economies through public-private partnerships."
Opening a seminar on the Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme in Accra yesterday, he reminded the Assemblies that they have a crucial role to play in the socio-economic development of the country.
The scheme, developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat, provides a platform for local governance practitioners from Commonwealth countries to share ideas towards strengthening local government systems in their respective countries.
He said an important vehicle by which the country hopes to achieve local economic development was the Local Government Service which would facilitate the effective performance of the assemblies.
To that end, he said 30,000 civil servants were being transferred to the Local Government Service to strengthen its human resource and technical base.
Besides, he said, more resources would be made available to the assemblies to ensure improved service delivery and accelerated provision of social amenities.
Mr Adjei-Darko lauded the objective of the scheme and assured that the ministry will continue to collaborate with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) towards improving Ghana’s local governance.
Mr Carl Wright, Secretary-General of CLGF, in his remarks, said the two-day seminar, which is being attended by participants from Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, will also find ways of developing projects out of the outcomes of the scheme to benefit the assemblies and communities.
He said the seminar would also discuss ways of improving its partnership with the National Association of Local Authorities of Government to enable it to influence the local government policy making process.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, has asked district assemblies to develop adequate measures towards effective management of their economies.
He said it is possible for the country to attain middle income status and achieve the Millennium Challenges Goals by 2015 "if our district assemblies are able to manage and control their local economies through public-private partnerships."
Opening a seminar on the Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme in Accra yesterday, he reminded the Assemblies that they have a crucial role to play in the socio-economic development of the country.
The scheme, developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat, provides a platform for local governance practitioners from Commonwealth countries to share ideas towards strengthening local government systems in their respective countries.
He said an important vehicle by which the country hopes to achieve local economic development was the Local Government Service which would facilitate the effective performance of the assemblies.
To that end, he said 30,000 civil servants were being transferred to the Local Government Service to strengthen its human resource and technical base.
Besides, he said, more resources would be made available to the assemblies to ensure improved service delivery and accelerated provision of social amenities.
Mr Adjei-Darko lauded the objective of the scheme and assured that the ministry will continue to collaborate with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) towards improving Ghana’s local governance.
Mr Carl Wright, Secretary-General of CLGF, in his remarks, said the two-day seminar, which is being attended by participants from Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, will also find ways of developing projects out of the outcomes of the scheme to benefit the assemblies and communities.
He said the seminar would also discuss ways of improving its partnership with the National Association of Local Authorities of Government to enable it to influence the local government policy making process.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Ga Mantse Files ‘No Case’ Suit
By Edmund Mingle, Dodowa
Monday, 26 November 2007
Counsel for the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, on Friday filed a submission of no case, praying the judicial committee of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs at Dodowa to throw out a case in which his eligibility to the stool has been challenged.
The suit is in the name of Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo, the Ga State Akwashong Mantse (supreme warrior).
Making the submission after the panel, chaired by Nii Tetteh Otu II, president of the house, had given him the go ahead, the counsel, Willie Amarfio, argued that the petitioner lacked capacity to bring the case against the Ga Mantse, also called Dr. Jo Blankson.
Nii Blofonyo is challenging the nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson as Ga Mantse, claiming the nomination and installation did not follow Ga custom.
Mr. Amarfio said section 66 of the Chieftaincy Act required that a petitioner should be clothed with authority as a kingmaker to be able to petition for destoolment.
Although the counsel for the panel, Samuel Klayson, reminded him that the petition of Nii Blofonyo was not for destoolment, Mr. Amarfio said upholding the petition would, in effect, result in the destoolment of the Ga Mantse.
"If you cannot appoint, you can not disappoint," he stated, describing the petition as "useless."
He said the petition was deficient in the sense that it was not signed by the petitioner personally for him to vouch for the contents but the panel’s counsel reminded him again that it was not legally wrong for the petitioners counsel to sign for his client.
But Mr. Amarfio countered that the counsel for the petitioner, Adu Gyamfi Boadu, who signed the petition is an Ashanti and therefore knew nothing about Ga custom.
In addition, he said, the petition did not provide names and address of witnesses for the hearing, saying, "We only came here for them to surprise us with their witnesses."
Attacking the petitioner’s capacity, he said the office of Ga State Akwashong Mantse and Asere Akwashongtse do not exist and are not recognised by the Ga Traditional Council, adding that that was why he had not been provided a seat at the Council.
"He should have fought the Ga Traditional Council for disallowing him in the house before attempting to fight the installation of the Ga Mantse," he said.
He said the position of the Akwashong Mantse who led troops to war in the past has become defunct because there were no more wars to fight by the Ga State.
He argued that even if the positions exist, the holders do not have the capacity to make or unmake a Ga Mantse.
He also described as fraudulent a certificate of recognition from the National House of Chiefs tendered in by the petitioner and wondered how the National House of Chiefs could recognise him when the Ga Traditional Council does not.
Counsel for the petitioner is expected to respond to the submission when hearing resumes on December 12.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Counsel for the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, on Friday filed a submission of no case, praying the judicial committee of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs at Dodowa to throw out a case in which his eligibility to the stool has been challenged.
The suit is in the name of Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo, the Ga State Akwashong Mantse (supreme warrior).
Making the submission after the panel, chaired by Nii Tetteh Otu II, president of the house, had given him the go ahead, the counsel, Willie Amarfio, argued that the petitioner lacked capacity to bring the case against the Ga Mantse, also called Dr. Jo Blankson.
Nii Blofonyo is challenging the nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson as Ga Mantse, claiming the nomination and installation did not follow Ga custom.
Mr. Amarfio said section 66 of the Chieftaincy Act required that a petitioner should be clothed with authority as a kingmaker to be able to petition for destoolment.
Although the counsel for the panel, Samuel Klayson, reminded him that the petition of Nii Blofonyo was not for destoolment, Mr. Amarfio said upholding the petition would, in effect, result in the destoolment of the Ga Mantse.
"If you cannot appoint, you can not disappoint," he stated, describing the petition as "useless."
He said the petition was deficient in the sense that it was not signed by the petitioner personally for him to vouch for the contents but the panel’s counsel reminded him again that it was not legally wrong for the petitioners counsel to sign for his client.
But Mr. Amarfio countered that the counsel for the petitioner, Adu Gyamfi Boadu, who signed the petition is an Ashanti and therefore knew nothing about Ga custom.
In addition, he said, the petition did not provide names and address of witnesses for the hearing, saying, "We only came here for them to surprise us with their witnesses."
Attacking the petitioner’s capacity, he said the office of Ga State Akwashong Mantse and Asere Akwashongtse do not exist and are not recognised by the Ga Traditional Council, adding that that was why he had not been provided a seat at the Council.
"He should have fought the Ga Traditional Council for disallowing him in the house before attempting to fight the installation of the Ga Mantse," he said.
He said the position of the Akwashong Mantse who led troops to war in the past has become defunct because there were no more wars to fight by the Ga State.
He argued that even if the positions exist, the holders do not have the capacity to make or unmake a Ga Mantse.
He also described as fraudulent a certificate of recognition from the National House of Chiefs tendered in by the petitioner and wondered how the National House of Chiefs could recognise him when the Ga Traditional Council does not.
Counsel for the petitioner is expected to respond to the submission when hearing resumes on December 12.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Ga youth clash with police
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday 7 June 2007
Ga Mashie, the traditional seat of Accra, was virtually turned into a "war zone" yesterday, when a section of the youth in the area clashed with some police personnel detailed to maintain peace for a customary ceremony to lift the ban on drumming.
The youth, described by the police as “Gbese Palestinians”, burned lorry tyres, threw stones, sticks and petrol bombs at the police who retaliated by firing warning shots and teargas to disperse them.
In the process the back screen of a police vehicle was smashed, while one police personnel was injured in the head.
Six of the youth were arrested.
For about three hours, all trading activities at the nearby Salaga market and other shops came to a standstill as people fled the area for fear of being hit by stray bullets and/or choked with fumes from the teargas that filled the atmosphere. Police reinforcement was called to control the youth who had massed up to prevent the customary rites from taking place.
The angry youth were protesting against the performance of the rite by the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, on a Wednesday,which they considered as an abbration and a sacrilege.
According to them,the beating of the ‘Odadao’ drums is the sole preserve of the Gbese Mantse and performed on Thursdays.
In the absence of the Gbese Mantse, it was the regent in the person of Nii Tetteh Ahinakwa, who should be the officant, they contended.
To give expression to their protest,some unidentified persons on Tuesday night smeared the ceremonial grounds, (Mogya We), one of the hallowed grounds in Ga Mashie, with excreta, apparently to prevent the ceremony from coming off.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service were called in to clearn the place with disinfectants yesterday morning.
About 70 riot-control policemen, some on horse –back, got to the area in the morning to ensure peace. But shortly after their arrival, the commotion began when a woman was arrested by the police as a section of the youth tried to dismantle the tents mounted for the ceremony.
The youth started throwing stones from all directions at the police who also responded with the firing of teargas and warning shots. For more than two hours, the crowd engaged the police who had to call in reinforcement to be able to handle the situation.
Six of the youth were arrested and sent to the Police Station after they were severely beaten by the policemen.
A group of “macho-men” wearing yellow arm and head bands, who were said to have been drafted to ensure that the ceremony came off uninterrupted, joined the fray around mid-day , amidst the chanting of war songs and warnings to opponents of the ceremony not to get close to the grounds.
Some traditional priests and priestesses cleansed the ‘Mogya We’, with a bottle of schnapps and the blood of a ram before the start of the programme at 3 pm, after a two-hour delay.
Around 3:15 pm, the Ga Mantse, Tackie Tawiah III, emerged at the grounds accompanied by Asafoatsemei, (traditional warlords) and police and military personnel.
Nii Adote Obour, the Sempe Mantse, apparently reacting to the concerns of the opponents, said that the Ga Mantse had the prerogative to choose who should perform the rites.
He said the right to perform the rituals had been given to the Gbese stool but because there is currently a controversy over the Gbese stool which has led to the installation of two rival chiefs, the Ga Mantse decided to preside over the event to ensure peace in Gbese.
Touching on the issue of the actual day for the rites, he read from a Ga history book and argued that the Ga Mantse is mandated to perform the rite on a Wednesday, while the Gbese Mantse does his on Thursday.
Nii Tackie Tawiah and the Ga stool chief, Nii Tetteh Ashong, jointly hit the “Odadao” traditional drums to mark the lifting of the ban on drumming which had been in place for the past month.
The lifting of the ban ushers in the Homowo festival of the Gas.
In his brief address before hitting the drums, the Ga Mantse called for peace in the Ga State and warned those who are undermining the peace in the area.
Apparently unhappy with the opponents of the ceremony, he said “trouble should follow those who are against the progress of the Ga state,” and invoked blessings for its well wishers.
Fighting broke out between some members backing the two rival chiefs after the ceremony but it was brought under control by the police.
At the time of going to press, the police were patrolling the area.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Gbese Dsaase, said the ‘Odadao’ ceremony will be performed by the Gbese Division today.
Thursday 7 June 2007
Ga Mashie, the traditional seat of Accra, was virtually turned into a "war zone" yesterday, when a section of the youth in the area clashed with some police personnel detailed to maintain peace for a customary ceremony to lift the ban on drumming.
The youth, described by the police as “Gbese Palestinians”, burned lorry tyres, threw stones, sticks and petrol bombs at the police who retaliated by firing warning shots and teargas to disperse them.
In the process the back screen of a police vehicle was smashed, while one police personnel was injured in the head.
Six of the youth were arrested.
For about three hours, all trading activities at the nearby Salaga market and other shops came to a standstill as people fled the area for fear of being hit by stray bullets and/or choked with fumes from the teargas that filled the atmosphere. Police reinforcement was called to control the youth who had massed up to prevent the customary rites from taking place.
The angry youth were protesting against the performance of the rite by the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, on a Wednesday,which they considered as an abbration and a sacrilege.
According to them,the beating of the ‘Odadao’ drums is the sole preserve of the Gbese Mantse and performed on Thursdays.
In the absence of the Gbese Mantse, it was the regent in the person of Nii Tetteh Ahinakwa, who should be the officant, they contended.
To give expression to their protest,some unidentified persons on Tuesday night smeared the ceremonial grounds, (Mogya We), one of the hallowed grounds in Ga Mashie, with excreta, apparently to prevent the ceremony from coming off.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service were called in to clearn the place with disinfectants yesterday morning.
About 70 riot-control policemen, some on horse –back, got to the area in the morning to ensure peace. But shortly after their arrival, the commotion began when a woman was arrested by the police as a section of the youth tried to dismantle the tents mounted for the ceremony.
The youth started throwing stones from all directions at the police who also responded with the firing of teargas and warning shots. For more than two hours, the crowd engaged the police who had to call in reinforcement to be able to handle the situation.
Six of the youth were arrested and sent to the Police Station after they were severely beaten by the policemen.
A group of “macho-men” wearing yellow arm and head bands, who were said to have been drafted to ensure that the ceremony came off uninterrupted, joined the fray around mid-day , amidst the chanting of war songs and warnings to opponents of the ceremony not to get close to the grounds.
Some traditional priests and priestesses cleansed the ‘Mogya We’, with a bottle of schnapps and the blood of a ram before the start of the programme at 3 pm, after a two-hour delay.
Around 3:15 pm, the Ga Mantse, Tackie Tawiah III, emerged at the grounds accompanied by Asafoatsemei, (traditional warlords) and police and military personnel.
Nii Adote Obour, the Sempe Mantse, apparently reacting to the concerns of the opponents, said that the Ga Mantse had the prerogative to choose who should perform the rites.
He said the right to perform the rituals had been given to the Gbese stool but because there is currently a controversy over the Gbese stool which has led to the installation of two rival chiefs, the Ga Mantse decided to preside over the event to ensure peace in Gbese.
Touching on the issue of the actual day for the rites, he read from a Ga history book and argued that the Ga Mantse is mandated to perform the rite on a Wednesday, while the Gbese Mantse does his on Thursday.
Nii Tackie Tawiah and the Ga stool chief, Nii Tetteh Ashong, jointly hit the “Odadao” traditional drums to mark the lifting of the ban on drumming which had been in place for the past month.
The lifting of the ban ushers in the Homowo festival of the Gas.
In his brief address before hitting the drums, the Ga Mantse called for peace in the Ga State and warned those who are undermining the peace in the area.
Apparently unhappy with the opponents of the ceremony, he said “trouble should follow those who are against the progress of the Ga state,” and invoked blessings for its well wishers.
Fighting broke out between some members backing the two rival chiefs after the ceremony but it was brought under control by the police.
At the time of going to press, the police were patrolling the area.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Gbese Dsaase, said the ‘Odadao’ ceremony will be performed by the Gbese Division today.
2 Factions clash At Gbese Palace Over Installation
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 30 April 2007
Warriors have a duty of protecting the people or state against aggression; but on Saturday, members of the warriors clan (Gbese) of the Ga State turned their weapons on each other in a clash over who has the right to occupy the Gbese Mantse’s Palace.
They pelted each other with stones and bottles, and gun shots were also fired.
In the process, the palace was vandalized while a number of residents were injured and taken to hospital.
The clash came in the wake of the installation of a new Gbese Mantse, under the stool name, Nii Ayibonte II, known in private life as Thomas Okine, Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.
The Asafo groups were on a procession to celebrate the installation of Mr. Okine as Gbese Mantse and as they approached the palace, the guards allegedly attacked them.
A taxi-cab with registration number GW 7735 U, which conveyed the new chief to one of the royal houses, Arday Akwa We, for the customary rites as part of the installation, was also vandalized by the guards and the driver seriously injured.
The stone and bottle throwing sent elders at the palace fleeing in various directions.
But for the intervention of the police, the palace would have been set ablaze.
Monday, 30 April 2007
Warriors have a duty of protecting the people or state against aggression; but on Saturday, members of the warriors clan (Gbese) of the Ga State turned their weapons on each other in a clash over who has the right to occupy the Gbese Mantse’s Palace.
They pelted each other with stones and bottles, and gun shots were also fired.
In the process, the palace was vandalized while a number of residents were injured and taken to hospital.
The clash came in the wake of the installation of a new Gbese Mantse, under the stool name, Nii Ayibonte II, known in private life as Thomas Okine, Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.
The Asafo groups were on a procession to celebrate the installation of Mr. Okine as Gbese Mantse and as they approached the palace, the guards allegedly attacked them.
A taxi-cab with registration number GW 7735 U, which conveyed the new chief to one of the royal houses, Arday Akwa We, for the customary rites as part of the installation, was also vandalized by the guards and the driver seriously injured.
The stone and bottle throwing sent elders at the palace fleeing in various directions.
But for the intervention of the police, the palace would have been set ablaze.
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