Accra, Feb 28, GNA - The Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee has amicably settled the Bortianor Chieftaincy Dispute out of court. As a result, Nii Kwei Arku, V, is now recognized by the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) as the substantive and legitimate chief of Bortianor, a sub-sector of the James Town Ngleshie Alata Area. A resolution passed on the dispute by GTC and copied to the Press, recommended, among others things, that, as Nii Akotey IV, (the rival chief) was at one time mandated to administer the affairs of Bortianor, he should ensure that all property items of Bortianor and other items of administration, were transmitted to the new chief, in order to enhance a peaceful transition.

The committee also recommended that the new administration worked actively with the elders of Bortianor to search out those whose properties had been damaged or lost, or those who had been hurt or injured, and those who felt alienated by the unhealthy division and internecine warfare created by the dispute, to reconcile them and make reparations to all in a matter of time, from stool resources.

Furthermore, the committee recommended that, "since the position of the Dzasetse, Nii Akotey the IV, has not been questioned in any way by any party, he should continue in office uninterrupted, together with all other senior office holders and elders of Houses, who together constitute the source of traditional authority of Bortianor."

The committee finally recommended that in order to consolidate the peace at Bortianor, "the elders should act in concert to present Nii Kwei Arku, V, to the James Town Alata Mantse, to take the Sacred Oath of Allegiance, by which act, peace and tranquility will prevail."

The ADR Committee was empanelled by GTC to investigate and adjudicate in the matter whose two main contesting parties were the Ofoli and Solo Royal Families.

The committee stated that, "in view of the fact that Nii Arku the fourth was elected from a legitimate house, confined, and presented to the people of Bortianor with the consent and concurrence of both Ofoli Solor We and Solo We, and acclaimed chief to fill a vacant stool by the Dzasetse, Nii Akotey IV, who swore the Oath of Allegiance to the new chief assisted by the Solo Wolomo and his senior colleagues, and in the presence of principal stool elders and other important citizens of Bortianor, we find Nii Kwei Arku, V, to be legitimately and lawfully, the enstooled current chief of Bortianor, and should be accorded all the rights, privileges and authority that go with that office."