The Dzaasetse of the Abese La-Adonten Division, Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I, has refuted allegations made during a press conference by the La Shikitele, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, which claimed that the Chief of Abese La-Adonten, Nii Kwade Okropong I, was improperly installed.
Nii Adjei Koofeh IV further accused the people of Abese of being responsible for the suspension of the La Traditional Council. He described the actions of the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Asamoah Boateng, as biased, noting that the minister instructed the council to include only Abese and one other group in the Traditional Council.
According to the La Shikitele, these factors contributed to the suspended La Traditional Council’s refusal to acknowledge the Abese Mantse as a council member.
In response to these claims, Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I held a counter press conference where he stated that the installation of Nii Kwade Okropong I was conducted following due process. He presented evidence, including a notification of installation sent to the Greater Accra Regional Minister, the La District Command, and copies to the La Traditional Council, as well as other traditional office holders in La.
The letter, dated April 4, 2015, detailed the various processes and necessary customs, traditional rites and usage for the installation of the Abese La-Adonten Mantse and other traditional title holders, including Dzaasetse, Akwashongtse, and Mlatse, commencing on April 17, 2015. The process culminated in the public outdooring of the Abese La-Adonten Division Chief on May 23, 2015.
Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I also noted that on November 13, 2013, the La Traditional Council directed all La Akutsei (Quarters), including the Abese La-Adonten Division, to perform the necessary traditional rites to install their divisional chiefs and traditional office holders, thereby registering them as members of the La Traditional Council.
In a supporting letter from La Stool Secretary J.T. Aryeh, it was stated: “I have been directed by the Council to inform you that with the elevation of La to Paramountcy, the various Quarter Heads (Akutseiatsemei) are automatically elevated to become Divisional Chiefs (Mantsemei) to form the La Traditional Council.”
The letter emphasized the importance of registering Traditional Council members with the National House of Chiefs as prescribed by the Chieftaincy Act of 2008. Consequently, the Akutsei were requested to perform all traditional rites (“Kusumii”) for their respective Akutseiatsemei (now Mantsemei) and other office holders to legitimize their membership in the council and to qualify for registration.
Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I explained that this directive allowed every Akutso to perform the necessary rites to install their heads, and those who had already completed the rites proceeded to fulfill their roles as Divisional Chiefs.
He added that prior to this letter, Abese Adonten already had a chief, Nii Okai Ako, who passed away. This prompted the elders of Abese to nominate a candidate, who was then taken through all the necessary traditional rites.
The Dzaasetse emphasized that the La Traditional Council had been notified officially regarding the installation, and while they requested a drink and “Ngle” (a customary item – mpney), the Abese La-Adonten Division complied. However, the Castle Bridge drink that was sent was rejected without a refund, and instead, two bottles of foreign schnapps were sent as replacement.
According to the Dzaasetse, none of the La Traditional Council members nor the people of La raised objections to the planned installation, allowing the process for Nii Kwade Okropong I to proceed smoothly.
Surprisingly, after the installation and outdooring of Nii Kwade Okropong I on May 27, the La Traditional Council issued a notice of “DISCLAIMER,” stating that they had no involvement in the installation and disassociating themselves from it, despite having accepted the drinks provided.
Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I reiterated that it is not the Traditional Council’s responsibility to install Divisional Chiefs for any Akutsei. Their role is solely to be present as witnesses during the outdooring ceremony. He also clarified that the Abese La-Adonten Division had formally educated the La Traditional Council on their lack of authority in the installation of divisional chiefs, emphasizing that each division has its own customs, traditions, beliefs, and practices.
He revealed that in June 2015, the Traditional Council summoned the Abese Divisional Council to court. However, after the Abese people entered a condition of appearance, the La Council discontinued the case, thus necessitating the automatic inclusion of the Abese Chief in the council.
Despite ongoing efforts to ensure Nii Kwade Okropong I’s inclusion, the late La Mantse requested that Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I come forward to plead for forgiveness before Nii Abese could be officially accepted into the council. Accompanied by Sheik I. C. Quaye, he honoured this request, but the council remained unyielding, despite the late La Mantse’s assurance that they would have a week to fulfill their promise.
After nine years of refusal to acknowledge Nii Kwade Okropong I, the Abese La-Adonten Division sought legal intervention, leading to an order of mandamus granted on February 20, 2024. The La Traditional Council subsequently applied for a stay of execution on June 3, 2024, which was denied by the Accra High Court.
With the La Traditional Council seemingly intent on perpetually denying Abese La-Adonten their rights, the division petitioned the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs for intervention. Unfortunately, their pleas went unanswered. Although Abese La-Adonten planned to hold a month-long demonstration, it was suspended after the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs promised to reassess the situation.
Acting on their assurances, the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and the Ministry convened a meeting where it was clarified that the Chieftaincy Act (Act 2008) mandates that already-installed chiefs must be accepted and inducted into the council while the case continues in court. Consequently, the La Traditional Council was officially directed to accept and induct Nii Kwade Okropong I and Nii Adjei Boahen, Nmattii Abonase Mantse.
Furthermore, Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I noted that those who represented the La Traditional Council at the meeting with the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs included Nii Obodai Addai IV (La Mankralo), Nii Yemo Din I (La Akwashongtse), Nii Adjei Koofeh IV (La Shikitele), Nii Asua Oweni II (La Agbawe Mantse), and Nii Solomon Tetteh (AG. La Otsaame).
He added that following the directive, the members of the Traditional Council requested written confirmation to avoid appearing biased in front of other parties.
In light of this, a letter was issued from the Regional House of Chiefs based on the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs’ instructions.
Nii Anyetei Anokware Nsro I concluded by revealing that the La Traditional Council responded to the Regional House of Chiefs, through their lawyer, Amakai Amateifio, stating that they would not comply with the directive hence their suspension.
