The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs (GARHC) has condemned the gruesome attack and murder of one of its members, Nene Atsure Benta III, who was the Prampram Mankralo and Acting President of the Prampram Traditional Council.

Nene Atsure Benta III was shot and killed by some unknown assailants near Apollonia in the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on December 13, 2018, while returning from a meeting of the House.

The GARHC strongly condemned the assassination of the Prampram Mankralo describing it as barbaric, uncivilized, and an abomination indicating that the House has lost one of its punctual members and a team player.

The President of the GARHC, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, who is also the Osu Mantse at a meeting of the House in Dodowa extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of Prampram and appealed to the chiefs and people of Prampram Traditional Area to exercise restraint, while they cooperate with the police in their investigations.

Present at the meeting were Nene Kanor Atiapa III, Acting Paramount Chief of Ningo and Acting Vice President of the GARHC, Nii Tetteh Otu II, Kpone Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue II, Tema Manste, Nii Ayi Bonte II, Gbese Mantse, Aadeybor Ngmogmowuyaa Kwesi Animle VI, Osudoku Mantse and Boni King Tackie Adama Latse II, Ga Mantse.

The GARHC urged the authorities to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice and called on anyone with information that could help the police in their investigations to pass it on to the security agencies.

Rules

Nii Dowuona VI stated categorically that the institution of chieftaincy does not exist in a jungle stressing that it is regulated by law and as such all those who are stakeholders should abide by the rules, regulations and laws.

He said such acts will no longer be countenanced in the Greater Accra Region and called on the police high command to deal with such perpetrators decisively without mercy since such acts finally result in fatalities

He said the House has noted with concern and disgust the manner in which some stakeholders in chieftaincy took the laws into their own hands during installation and deposition of chiefs which result in loss of lives and property.

“Not long ago in some of the Traditional Areas in the Region, a group of people purported to have installed a chief went to a Traditional Council Office, broke into the office and vandalized it in the name of inducting that chief into office and at the same time taking over. Granted that even that “Chief” has been properly installed, he has not been registered and therefore cannot be a member of the Traditional Council”, Nii Dowuona VI said.

He cited an instance where a Mankralo in one of the Traditional Areas was said to have been destooled by the stool father without making a case against him at the Judicial Committee of the Council which resulted in attacks and counterattacks.

Nii Dowuona VI reminded all stakeholders that installation and deposition of a chief are regulated by law and that anybody who side steps these rules governing chieftaincy will be dealt with ruthlessly.

The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs called on the government to provide security services and or police protection for members of the House especially when they are on official duties in security threat areas in the country.