Accra, June 16, GNA - The Ga Paramount Stool Dzase responsible for the installation of an overlord of the Ga State on Friday condemned the purported installation of a new Ga Mantse saying the action amounted to gross disrespect to Ga customs and traditions.

"By Ga customs, traditions and by the laws of our peaceful land it is a taboo for a handful of (people) within one gate of one particular royal ruling house to hold to ransom and show gross disrespect to a well established system or procedure for their personal selfish interest." Addressing a press conference in Accra, Nii Tettey Quaye II, the Dzasetse, responsible for the appointment of a Ga Chief, reiterated that the action by a section of the Teiko Tsuru family in installing Dr Jo Blankson as Ga Manche lacked the concern of the three other royal houses that should sit and determine the choice of a suitable candidate. "As far as we are concerned, 99.9 per cent of the people of the Ga State have no knowledge of the installation,=94 he said, adding they would not allow the future of the Gas to be toyed with.

"We want to grow and will not like to fight each other. As far as the custom demands, it was the turn of the Abola Piam We, who has the right to nominate a candidate upon the approval of the Dzasetse and subsequently install him through the laid down procedures and customs.

"It is time for us true and well-meaning Gas to rise up and tell all those, who don't have the heart for our development to shut up because we are regressing whereas others are progressing," the Dzasetse said.

Presenting a statement prepared by the Dzase Stool, Mr Henry Vanderpuye, Spokesman for the Dzase, said these irregularities had taken place against a ruling by the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs that the Ga Royal Ruling Houses should be the Teiko Tsuru We; Tachie Komey We; Amugi We and Abola Piam We and that succession to the throne would be rotational and patrilineal.

Mr Vanderpuye said Nii Akropong II of the Teiko Tsuru We, who performed the installation of Dr Blankson was once an official of the Dzase but left.

In addition, Mr Vanderpuye said, Nii Akropong disregarded tradition and nominated and elected his son as the Dzasetse, which was quashed by Numo Tete II, Nai Wulomo, who revoked all customs and rites performed accordingly.

He said Nii Akropong had no right to be the head of Teiko Tsuru We and that measures had been put in place to deal with him accordingly. Mr Vanderpuye said it was also uncustomary for a new chief to be installed while the late Ga Mantse Nii Amugi II had not been buried. He said the purported installation by Nai Wulomo was out or place because it was the Sakumo Wulomo, who had the sole prerogative to perform rites and rituals associated with the Ga Dzase. On the burial of the late Ga Mantse, the leaders said the arrangements would be made for the burial soon after the celebration of the Homowo as customs demanded. 16 June 06