Accra, June 16, GNA - Nii Teiko Tsuru We, one of the royal houses that installed King Tackie Tawiah III as the Ga Mantse, said on Friday that it received the mantle to select an overlord of the Ga State 41 years ago from the family of the late Nii Amugi Seose II. The family debunked the assertions that there were four royal houses saying there were rather three houses - Teiko Tsuru We; Tackie Kome We and Amugi We) and that the succession to the Ga throne was not only through the patrilineal lineage. It said the supposed fourth royal house; the Abola Piam did not in anyway form part of those, who can ascend the throne.

A statement signed by Nii Akropong III and Nii Abbey, Head and Secretary of the Teiko Tsuru Family, respectively, to the GNA noted that the historical succession had come from both the patrilineal and matrilineal sides adding: "King Tackie Tawiah I was elected from a matrilineal lineage in 1862. 'The Ga Mantse is a great grandson of King Tackie Tawiah I and a nephew of Nii Tackie Tawiah II so his enstoolment is not lacking legitimacy."

Explaining, who was the legitimate Chief Priest to perform the installation rites, the statement named Nai Wulomo, Numo Tete III and said: "All rivers, streams, lagoons etc. empty into the sea and Nai is the sea. Nai Wulomo, the spiritual leader of the Ga people, has supremacy in these affairs, the statement said. Documents on the election of the Ga Mantse copied to the GNA said: "The election of the Paramount Chief of the Ga State area drawn only from the three Royal Houses or Ruling Houses of Abola, that is Tackie Komey We; Teiko Tsuru We and Amugi We, the body of which is known and called by the name Ga Mantse Dzase..."

It said Ga Mantse Dzase composed of children and grandchildren, who belonged to the Ga Royal House everybody of whom could trace a lineal descent from the Ga Royal Paramount Stool. "The power of electing a stool candidate at any time is vested only in the accredited members of the ruling house then holding the mantle. "When the Paramount Chief is being installed the mantle worn by him in accordance with native custom and usage is taken away and handed over to a responsible member of the next ruling house then present in the sanctuary," the document stated.

The document said the house holding the mantle, on the destoolment, abdication or demise of the incumbent chief, would be required to elect and present a successor. "These well established and settled principles have been honoured and practised by the three royal houses even before they were provided for and now stands in consonance with section 4 of the Native Administration Ordinance of 1927. "No Act or Law has subsequently altered, set aside or modified this set of principles," it said.