Ghana TV News, 21.05.2010 | | | | | Latest News from Saturday, 22.May 2010 | Coup attempt on Ga Mantse: 22 held * Source: Ghanaian Times | Twenty-two people have been picked up by the Accra Regional Police Command to assist in investigations into disturbances at the Ga Mantse's palace in the early hours of Friday.
There was a confrontation between two rival youth groups after one of them had gone to the palace to lock up the gates in a fresh attempt to destool the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III.
Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Cyprian Zenge, told the Times on telephone that police were dispatched to the palace after a distress call that some youth had gone there to cause commotion.
He said the suspects had been sent to the Regional Police Headquarters to be screened.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Markwei reports that the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, has dismissed rumours that he has been destooled following yesterday's skirmishes at his palace.
In a move reminiscent of a military coup d' etat, a group of young people stormed the palace in the early hours and locked up the gates.
However the timely intervention of the police in opening the gates to allow free movement of people prevented a possible clash between the invaders and people loyal to the Ga Mantse.
The Ga Mantse was not at the palace at the time of the attack. On being contacted by the Times later in the day, he expressed dismay at the development and asked people to respect the tradi¬tional norms of the Ga State.
He discounted the notion that the incident could constitute destoolment, saying "processes for destooling a chief are spelt out clearly by traditional practices and conventions."
Nii Tackie Tawiah condemned the actions of the group saying that it was uncalled for, especially at a time Gas have retreated into meditation to pray for peace and abundance of harvest ahead of the Homowo FestivaL
"These people have chosen to break the silence by creating a situation which will bring mayhem and confusion at this time of the year," he lamented. | Asiedu Nketia Grabs Billionaire Mansion * Source: Dennis A. BOATENG | ASIEDU NKETIA GRABS BILLIONAIRE MANSION!
Now Who Is The Thief?
Report by Dennis A. BOATENG
Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government is also in the race of the Property Grabbing Social Democrats in the current Atta Mills led 'father for all and I care for you' administration.
He is currently in the final stretch of putting final touches to a multi-storied mansion that experts price at the billions of cedis!
The building, which has been growing by leaps and bounds since the NDC assumed power, is located at Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra in the Greater Accra Region.
The three-storey state of the art mansion, befitting the status of the President himself is situated on land belonging to the Old Adwira Farm (off the Accra-Aburi Highway).
Credible information gathered by this paper indicates that the farm was used by Government for the cultivation of Cashew, Maize, Pineapple, Pepper and Tomato barely eight (8) years ago before the NPP government handed the land to their prospective owners.
Even though the site is new and people are building vigorously, none of the buildings can be compared to the luxurious mansion of Mr. Asiedu Nketia.
His building is like a cottage in a hide-out as it appears very isolated and stands out flamboyantly for everybody who visits the site to see. The mansion has been roofed with the most favorable roofing tiles for our part of the world. The pillars of the wall are as thick as those of a temple. Even his security post can serve as lifetime accommodation for an extended family considering its size and quality.
Some information we gathered reveal that about six weeks ago, some military men come to order the labourers to stop work. Upon hearing the information, Mr. Nketia asked the soldiers to vacate his premises or their employment would be at stake. As if that threat was not enough, he ordered one of the labourers to pick the numbers of the two vehicles the military men brought and that he would deal with them later.
When this reporter spoke to some of the residents around, they alleged that all the labourers were from outside the town and that he (Asiedu Nketia), had brought them from his home town to avoid any information being leaked out to the opposition.
They also disclosed that the building started taking off vigorously about nine months ago and has since been towering like bush fire in the harmattan.
"He always exhibits his arrogance anytime he come here to see the rate at which his 'investment' was moving and that puts most of us off," a resident alleged.
We are also informed that, the building materials are always brought in bulk, that is; sand, gravels, iron rods and cement and at very speedy intervals as if there was no tomorrow.
Even though he has made his brother the foreman of the project, it is no more a secret that the multi-million dollar property belongs to the 'arrogant' NDC General Secretary, who some years back was referring to the seventeen aspirants of the New Patriotic Party as 'Thieves'.
It has been established that the rough roads leading to the 'Palace' of the General Secretary of the ruling NDC Government, was partially constructed for the easy accessibility of the vehicles of the 'General' whenever he plies those roads. | Mills is a ‘‘certified lazy man’’- Ndebugri * Source: Citifmonline.com | A Former Peoples National Convention MP for Zebila John Ndebugri has tagged President John Mills as a ‘‘certified lazy man’’.
The PNC man, who crossed carpet to join the NPP after the 2008 elections, was reacting to what appeared to be a mockery of NPP members by Mr. Kofi Adams, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, following some controversial statements made by one of the party’s member, against the NPP’s Presidential aspirants.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Saturday talk show ‘‘Big Issues’’ on May 22, Mr. Ndebugri took a swipe at Mr. Kwame Pianim for the comments he made which has been described by some leading members of his party as ‘‘unsavory and irresponsible’’.
According to Mr. Ndebugri, the NPP is a democratic party hence the many criticisms from party members over the controversial remarks. He stated that unlike other parties, referring to the NDC, the NPP has respect for democracy.
‘‘Unlike other parties that are owned, when the owner speaks, it becomes taboo. When the owner says you are a bustard, even the person called bustard, will say that I am happy that he called me bastard.
Mr. Ndebugri said even though Mr. Pianim’s concern about the party electing a competent leader and not just a flagbearer was appropriate, it was erroneous for him to have used the word ‘idiot’. He however said that in his thoughts, the statement was not referring to any of the aspirants, but was referring to the concept of ‘’flagbearer’’ in the Ghanaian politics instead of leaders.
‘‘The use of the word idiot was unnecessary. I know Mr. Kwame Pianim very well. And I think one of his characters is that, he is overly informal, look at his manner of dressing, Look at the way he carries himself and even in his speech. That is why he went about using that word, ‘‘idiot’’. I am sure he will regret using those words’’ he stated.
But Mr. Ndebugri noted that the comments on corruption and incompetence against the other aspirants were most untoward.
Mr. Ndebugri became furious when Mr. Adams used the word ‘‘lazy’’ to describe some members of the NPP as he (Mr. Ndebugri) delivered his submissions on the programme.
He then halted his submission and said, ‘‘In fact, If Kwame Pianim is complaining about laziness, he should go straight to the castle and complain today, because the laziest man is sitting there. The President, the certified lazy man is sitting there. Because his predecessor himself said he is lazy.
Rawlings said the man is slow and now I don’t even know what to say now. If you are slow, and you are supposed to be active, what are you? You are lazy. The man has said it many times to the point that he was so exasperated that, he now said he doesn’t know what to say again. I have the right to explain slow, as being lazy and lazy as being slow. And he himself said I am slow but sure, meaning I am lazy but sure’’ he noted.
But Mr. Kofi Adams rubbished Mr. Ndebugri’s claims and name-callings of President Mills, but insisted that Mr. Pianim’s statements reflected the real situation on the ground.
‘‘If you take Mr. Kwame Pianim’s tape and assemble average JSS students, and not even the brilliant ones, they can tell you who the lazy ones are and are seeking to be appointed by whomever they are associating with. Mr. Ndebugri is only trying to color what Mr. Pianim said making it look as if he did not mean what he said.
He denied the assertion that Mr. Rawlings had touted President Mills as slow and said Ghanaians were convinced that the President is not a lazy man. He added that Mr. Rawlings was only concerned about some areas of governance that were moving slowly.
‘‘I strongly reject the description of the president of this republic as a lazy man. That I will not take kindly to it. Yes there are some actions that need to be taken so that we all laugh to the Better Ghana agenda.
Mr. Kofi Adams who appeared enraged by Mr. Ndebugri’s description of President Mills as a lazy man, replied by constantly describing his political opponents, as ‘‘idiots and lazy’’ just as they were described by one of their own. | Ga Mantse Caught * Source: The Herald Newspaper | *Asks Security Agencies To Disrespect Supreme Court
*But Ga Chief Say He Should Rather Be Blacklisted
By Larry-Alans Dogbey
Days after launching a vile attack on President Mills and some of his advisors, labeling them as "standard seven boys," because he and some Ga chiefs feel unimportant to the president, the Ga Mantse has been caught setting a vicious trap which could stir up trouble in an already volatile environment.
The Herald has laid hands on a letter purportedly authored by the Ga Mantse, Nii Tachie Tawiah III, asking the security agencies to disrespect a Supreme Court ruling on the Gbese chieftaincy dispute, and give his man, Nii Tetteh Quaye II, protection to enable him celebrate the forthcoming Homowo festival.
This is in spite of a decision by the highest court of the land on April 27, this year, that Mr. Thomas Okine of Accra Hearts of Oak fame should occupy the Gbese palace as the lawful Gbese Mantse under the stool name Nii Ayi Bonte II. This was after a protracted legal battle between the Ga Mantse’s favourite, Nii Okaidja III and Mr. Thomas Okine.
But the Ga Mantse insists that although the Ga Traditional Council is aware of the decision by the Supreme Court on the occupation of the Gbese Palace, it has decided to set aside all contending parties in Gbese and place the performance of rites and ceremonies under the supervision of Ga Dzasetse, Nii Tetteh Quaye II, to prevent any public disturbance.
Nii Tackie Tawiah III in his letter dated May 10, 2010 attributed his call to disregard the Supreme Court decision to what he claimed are opinions expressed in the media on aspects of the matter thus sparking “grave uncertainty”, hence the Ga Traditional Council has resolved to take control of the Homowo celebration in order to minimize any incidental conflicts.
Nii Tachie Tawiah’s letter which was served on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Greater Accra Regional Minister, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture as well as all media houses demanded all security agencies to co-operate fully with the council on this decision.
When reached, the Gbese Mantse was utterly shocked at the letter especially when the Supreme Court has declared him the proper custodian of the Gbese Mantse Palace, and described the Ga Mantse, known in private life as Dr. Jo Blankson, as a fraudster and a lawless person.
In an interview yesterday in his pharmaceutical office near the Rawlings Park in Accra, Nii Ayi-Bonte, threatened to drag the Ga Mantse to the Supreme Court on contempt charges for what he called “his blatant disregard for the highest court”.
According to him, the Gas currently have no king and “whoever is claiming to be the king of the Gas is a fraud” and must not be entertained by the public especially the security agencies. Present at the interview was Nii Bi Ayi-Bontey, former Member of Parliament for Odododiodioo and one other person.
Brandishing, a copy of the Supreme Court judgment, Nii Ayi Bonte, told The Herald that he has been given the authority to perform the necessary traditional rites and ceremonies towards the celebration of the Homowo, and he has since taken over the palace and performed some of the rites.
He warned the security agencies not to offer any form of protection sought by Dr. Blankson to celebrate the annual Homowo festival, adding “when the Supreme Court gives a ruling even the president must obey. He is a trouble maker and the security agencies must watch him”.
The Gbese Mantse maintained that Dr. Blankson was not customarily nominated, elected and installed as Ga Mantse and even the Abola Kpiam Royal Family which he claims he hails from, has disowned him, therefore, he is not recognized and must henceforth desist from holding himself out as Ga Mantse.
Another person who identified himself as the Ga Dzasetse, in a separate interview, asked that the Ga Mantse who prefers to be called Dr. Jo Blankson, must be ignored.
Nii Yartey Otoga, described Dr. Jo Blankson as a provocative person who the security agencies must keep on their radar else he would cause trouble.
He advised Dr. Jo Blankson to deal with all the numerous cases filed against him before the Greater Accra House of Chiefs by all the royal families; Nii Amugi We, Teiko Tsru We, Tachie Kommey We and the Abola Kpiam We and get himself gazetted before holding claim to Ga Stool.
Both The Gbese Mantse and Ga Dzasetse denied knowing who Nii Tetteh Quaye II is, and his connection to Ga Mantse?
Meanwhile, documents obtained from the Supreme Court by this paper revealed that the court has by majority decision ruled in favour of Mr. Okine to take control of the Gbese Mantse’s Palace in Accra.
The Supreme Court judges who sat on the case include Justice Sophia Akuffo, Justice Mrs. S.O.A. Adinyira, Justice Sule Gbadebge, Justice Mrs. V. Akoto-Bamfo with Justice William Atuguba, the Deputy Chief Justice presiding.
Nii TackieTawiah III whose status as Ga Mantse has consistently been challenged recently openly criticized President Mills for ignoring him and other Ga chiefs by refusing to invite them to state functions since he took office in 2009. But government insists Nii Tackie Tawiah II must first be gazetted before he will be officially recognized.
However, the Ga Mantse insists it was time President Mills discards the notion that he (the GaMantse), was installed by the NPP government; therefore his administration will never be associated with him. He accused the Mills' administration of deliberately sidelining him and sought to remind the president that Ga chiefs are not fools to be sitting in Accra and not be invited to state functions.
"The President of the Republic of Ghana is so fully persuaded that the NPP had installed the Ga Mantse, the least he can do is provide evidential proof. He must be able to tell us how this manifested. He more than anybody else knows that this is impossibility. Additionally, we're not fools sitting in Accra, because the President cannot proceed on the basis he is doing," he averred.
A visibly angry and highly agitated NiiTackieTawiah opened up to what he perceives as injustices being perpetuated by the Mills' administration against the Ga State during an exclusive press briefing held after a durbar of chiefs at the GaMantse's palace recently.
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