Ngleshie Alata Chieftaincy Dispute: Allegations of Fraudulent Gazette and Corruption at National House of Chiefs

The Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area has become the center of a brewing chieftaincy dispute following the recent gazetting of Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye, also known as Wetse Kojo II, as the Paramount Chief of Ngleshie Alata, Jamestown.

In a strongly worded press conference, representatives from the Adanse Ruling Gate, one of the two royal families in the area including Oblempong Nii Ahuma Kojo Ill, decried the gazette as fraudulent, accusing key officials within the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs of engaging in corrupt practices to push through the enstoolment of a candidate who does not hail from the legitimate ruling houses.

Addressing the media, the General Secretary for Nii Ahuma Kojo I family, Apostle Eric Nii Doodo pointed out that, the traditional council has a long-standing rotational system between the Ajumako Dawurampong and Adanse ruling houses saying, following the death of Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V in 2017, the Adanse Ruling Gate, in accordance with customary law, nominated and installed Mr. Henry Nunoo Koppoe as Oblempong Nii Ahuma Kojo III. This installation he disclosed carried out with all necessary customary rites on October 29, 2018, was recognized by the royal family and was devoid of any internal or external protest.

However, the gazette of Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye the Adanse family claims, does not belong to either of the ruling gates but rather to the Anumansa, KweikumaTsonshie.

The family alleges that the Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Mr. Enoch Addo, rejected Oblempong Nii Ahuma Kojo III’s chieftaincy declaration forms three times, despite being duly processed, in favor of his preferred candidate, Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye.

According to Apostle Eric Nii Doodo, the situation escalated when Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye’s chieftaincy declaration forms were allegedly processed in secret by the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, despite ongoing legal disputes challenging his legitimacy in an Accra High Court and the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.

The Adanse family further accuses officials, including the President of the National House of Chiefs, Nana Yaw Ogyeahoho, of complicity in the scheme, citing heavy police presence at the National House of Chiefs on June 20-21, 2024, which they believe was intended to prevent legal processes from being served.

The Adanse family insists that Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye’s enstoolment is incomplete and invalid, as he has not undergone the required customary rites. They also claim that he has been receiving funds from companies operating on Ngleshie Alata lands, warning these companies of potential repercussions. Furthermore, they express concerns about political interference and the support of state institutions for Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye, which they view as an affront to the principles of democracy.

In their appeal for justice, the family calls on the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, to intervene in the matter and ensure that the will of the people and the traditions of Ngleshie Alata are upheld. Despite their frustrations, the family emphasizes their commitment to peace but warns that they will not be intimidated or allow their customs to be subverted by external forces.

Source:dailydemocratnewsonline.com