La Youth Petitions Chieftaincy Ministry, Stool Council To Investigate Nii Adjei Kofeh IV And Two Others

The youth of the La Traditional Area have commended the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the La Stool Council for the Ministry’s decision to suspend the council.

In a petition, the youth urged the Ministry to urgently initiate a forensic audit and investigate the activities of Nii Adjei Kofeh IV (La Shikiteli), Nii Obodai Adai IV (Anarhor Mantse & La Mankralo), and Nii Yemo Din II (La Akwaashontse). The petition was contained in a statement signed by the Convener, Abednego Adjei Adjetey, and submitted to the La Stool Secretary on October 23, 2024.

According to the youth, these individuals must be held accountable for any transactions carried out since the passing of the late La Mantsɛ, Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru III, particularly in relation to the unauthorized sale of stool properties. They emphasized that any misconduct should be addressed with appropriate penalties to uphold justice and safeguard the heritage of Lamei for future generations.

The youth also called for prompt action to restore order and protect the cultural assets of Lamei. They stressed the need to prevent any further misuse of the name and authority of the “La Stool Council,” which, in their view, has led to mounting frustration and agitation among the community.

“This situation is unacceptable,” the statement noted. The youth emphasized that the La Traditional Council must not only adhere to to the directives of its supervisory bodies but also respect the 1992 Constitution and the laws of the Ghanaian government, adding that “the time for action is now.”

The petition further clarified that the La Traditional Council, as a statutory body representing the various quarters (Akutsei), has no ownership of properties. Under Acts 759 and 789 of 1972, the council does not possess land or property as an institution. Instead, the allodial rights to any land or property within the town rest with the Stool Council, not the Traditional Council.

The youth reaffirmed their support for the Ministry’s decision to suspend the Traditional Council, describing it as essential for restoring proper traditional governance. “Traditional leadership must be transparent and aligned with the values of the community it serves,” they noted, citing the importance of tradition in maintaining social cohesion and cultural continuity. They added that the restoration of effective governance in La must be carried out with full respect for the area’s customs and values.

Expressing concern over the involvement of certain external traditional leaders, the youth argued that figures such as Nii Adjei Kofeh IV (La Shikiteli), Nii Obodai Adai IV (Anarhor Mantse & La Mankralo), and Nii Yemo Din II (La Akwaashontse) do not hold rightful positions within the La Stool Council. Their actions and claims to authority, according to the youth, lack any legitimate basis in La custom and tradition.

“In African societies, traditional leadership is deeply rooted in historical legitimacy and communal recognition,” as noted by Agyeman-Duah (1990), and the youth insist that external figures seeking influence within the La Stool Council undermine this essential principle. Therefore, they called for immediate clarification of roles to ensure that the governance of La remains firmly grounded in its customs and lineage.