History repeats itself in La: The Mantse, the Jaasetse & the Homowo Celebrations
The La Mantse and occupant of the La Stool have become even more important in Ghana's socio-economic and political life for a variety of reasons.
Soon the people of La will celebrate the Homowo…
Hopefully the people of La will soon have a New Mantse.
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The La Jaasetse Nii Odotei Adjei according to the Littlewood Report (pages 25|26 attached for the avoidance of doubt) and the Crowther Report which it references, has the singular responsibility of ensuring that the La People get New Mantse and are able to celebrate the Homowo.
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The La Mantse and occupant of the La Stool have become even more important in Ghana’s socio-economic and political life for a variety of reasons.
The fact that most prime State Lands belong to La and also there is a La Stool Landgrab epidemic, has made it more an imperative to ensure lasting Peace, Order and Security in the National Capital especially in the most affluent parts of Accra that are owned by La.
The return of State Lands by government as done by E. I. 432 as a template;
The New La Mantse as in the case of the Asantehene, is expected to be the recipient of State Lands returned to the La Stool as happened in E. I. 432 in trust on behalf of the Stool Subjects.
The additional government directives to State institutions to wind down on such Lands and hand over to the Stool acting through the Chief Mantse|Ohene in trust for the Stool Subjects and the additional directive to private citizens and companies or organisations on the returned Lands to atone tenancy and pay Ground Rent to the STOOL through Mantse|Ohene on behalf of the Stool Subjects.
The New Land Law (ACT 1036) demands of all persons including Chiefs and Government officials holding and dealing in Lands to honour their fiduciary duty to be transparent and accountable to the Stool Subjects or whosoever they hold the Lands in trust for; if the fiduciary are in breach ACT 1036, they are liable upon conviction to a long prison term or a fine of up to GHC180,000 or both.
The fact that La hosts almost every Embassy in Ghana is located on La Land, the Military, Airport and various critical national installations including Civil Aviation, Educational and Health places La in a unique position in Ghana’s National Security, international relations and Socio-economic architecture.
Every Ghanaian and indeed Government must take a keen interest in, and ensure a smooth transition from the late Nii Dr. Kpobi Tettey Tsuru II to his successor…
The annual Ga Homowo activities are well underway; as we are aware, it is like a Mexican wave from Ga-Mashie through Osu to La and Teshie to Nungua, Tema, Kpone…
The activities culminating in Homowo Festival’s climax of sprinkling of the meal is often marred by violence, heavy police presence both of which take away from the otherwise beautiful cultural heritage of the Ga People which has enormous tourism potential…
The role of the Mantse in the Homowo Celebrations including key rituals cannot be over emphasised.
The vacuum of a La Mantse occasioned by the death the late Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru II and a successor not yet enstooled lends itself to mischief and possible mayhem.
While Lamei await the outcome of the La Mantse litigation at the Regional House of Chiefs, so Lamei can have a New La Mantse, the clock is ticking towards this year’s Homowo Festival.
It is the view of many that currently there is no La Traditional Council whenever there is no La Mantse; rather that there is a La State Council.
The La Mantse dies, however, the La Stool never dies.
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The La Stool is not a person, it is the essence of the Ruling|Royal Clan or La Jaase comprising Kowe, Dzrasee and Agbawe.
The La Jaase is headed by the Jaasetse, the Mantse is an ex-officio member of the La Jaase comprising Kowe, Dzrasee and Agbawe, with a variation when the La Mantse is from Abese.
The Jaasetse is an Officeholder of the La Traditional Council together with the Mankralo, Akwashongtse and Shikitele.
The Traditional Council has the La Mantse as its President and it is an advisory body which membership includes representation from all the Akutsei through the Akutseiatsemei…
NO TRADITIONAL COUNCIL OWNS LAND NOR HAS LOCUS IN LAND CASES as determined by the Supreme Court in the landmark Katamanso Case.
Again, reference to the Executive Instrument E. I. 432 shows that the returned 409acres of Ashanti Lands was to the Ashantihene in trust for the Subjects of the GOLDEN STOOL and requested all residents to atone tenancy to the Golden Stool and pay Ground Rent which it used to pay government to the STOOL not the Asanteman Council or a Traditional Council.
The outcome of the Dodowa case will hopefully bring finality to the lingering La Chieftaincy issue succinctly captured in the Crowther Report and Littlewood Report.
—END OF PART ONE—
Coming up in Part Two:
– Annexation of Kpletso by the Military & Report on Shooting and Assault case
– Stealing of Civil Aviation and other State Lands originally owned by La
– The La Stool Lands Secretariat role in registration and administration of all La Lands
– Synchronization and digitization of shared data on La Lands between the Lands Commission and La Stool Lands Secretariat
– The role of La Community Bank in eliminating fraud in La Land transactions
– The Seal of the La Mantse as a final proof of title to La Lands after atonement of tenancy.
By Prince-Derek Adjei
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