…Says Council Of Osu Mantse
Council of the Osu Mantse has released a press statement under the hand of the Stool Secretary, Nii Okwei Nortey to straighten up issues of a certain claim of authority and an attempt at bending the traditions of the people of Osu by the Klottey Wulomo, Nuumo Osekan Kpeneku II in the latter’s recent press conference held on Monday 24 February 2020, at Noi Tsuru We, Osu Ashante Blohu
The Klottey Wulomo is on record to have laid claims to the effect that he is the ‘Shitse’(Overlord) of Osu when he was addressing a press conference in Accra on matters relating to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
On behalf of the Osu Mnatse Nii Nortey Owuo III the Stool Secretary indicated in his statement that in the traditional practices of Osu, there is no position called Shitse (Overlord) of Osu. “There is no traditional office higher than that of the Osu Mantse, who is the custodian and occupant of the Osu Black Stool (Sei Kwame). In Osu and in Osu traditional nomenclature the term Shitse does not exist, let alone it being credited to a particular traditional office holder. The Osu Mantse is primary and final authority in all traditional matters including matters affecting alienation of stool lands” he explained.
Again, he stated that Osu has had many wulomei over the years but none of them had claimed the title shitse for good reasons and that they respected the differences between Osu and Nungua traditional practices and were humble enough to accept and work within their boundaries.
He said, even beyond Osu tradition, the chieftaincy system has been rationalized to the point where The Chieftaincy Act 2008, Act 759 provides the framework for regulating the chieftaincy system. Under the Act, the Chief or the Mantse has pre-eminence over all traditional office holders. The attempt at introducing a new Osu traditional brand of ‘shitse’ outside of the Chieftaincy Act, ostensibly to allow the present occupier alienate lands; is untenable, Nii Okwei stressed.
The Stool Secretary further stated that “It is worth pointing out that under the Osu system, the Mantse is the one clothed with the capacity for giving out lands, as confirmed in AKWEI V. AWULETEY (1960) GLR 231. at page 236; “‘the Osu Mantse as occupant of the Osu Stool is the proper person entitled to sue and be sued in respect of lands title to which is vested in Osu Stool”
He said, “the duty of the Osu Klottey Wulomo, is to spend quality time praying and interceding at the Klottey Shrine for blessing from the ancestors for our dear fatherland, particularly as Osu has huge issues regarding chieftaincy, sanitation, education and employment for our youth. These are major concerns for which we need their wisdom and guidance. Previous Osu Klottey Wulomei have prayed for the protection of the fatherland. We recommend this path to our revered Osu Klottey Wulomo to follow.”
Nii Okwei noted that “Perhaps during the period of their confinement, prior to installation, the Nuumo Wulomo and the Seitse, may not have absorbed enough of Osu traditions and practices, hence the fascination with the Nungua set up”.
He also ceased the opportunity to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that there is no such position known as ‘Shitse’ (Overlord) under Osu traditional practices and secondly the Osu Klottey Wulomo has no authority to alienate Osu Stool lands whilst advising Nuumo Osu Klottey Wulomo to step back from the brink for the sake of peace in Osu not additional and further divisions.
