The James Town Traditional Council in Accra has annulled the installation of the Nii Kwei Arku V as chief of Bortianor. The Council described Nii Arku’s recent installation as not only illegal but also “null and void”.

In a letter dated December 19, 2001 and addressed to the Minister of Interior, the James Town Traditional Council said “it still recognises the Dzasetse, Nii Akotey IV as the acting Bortianor Mantse until the final determination of the chieftaincy dispute at Bortianor.

The letter which was copied to a number of institutions including the police administration, the Greater Accra Regional Security Council and the Ga District Assembly, explained that the substantive chief of Bortianor, Nii Ogbame Ankonam I of the Solo We Clan has been temporary set aside by kingmakers.

“No individual has the legitimate right to install a chief during the interim until the case has been amicably resolved,” the letter stated.

Until recently, Bortianor, a vast growing coastal township in the Ga District of the Greater Accra region under the leader of Nii Akotey IV, has been a very peaceful place.

Following the illegal installation of Nii Arku V just about three months ago, there has been intermittent violent clashes among the various interest groups contesting to sit on the Bortianor stool, thus resulting in occasional police siege of the township and subsequent arrest of suspects alleged to be fomenting trouble in the town.