The Communications Director at Presidency, Koku Anyidoho, says until Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III, who is known in private life as Dr Joseph Blankson, is gazetted in the books of the National House of Chiefs as the rightful king of Ga Mashie, government will not recognise him as such.
King Tackie Tawiah III, on Wednesday publicly accused government of deliberately marginalising him at all government functions, stressing that he is aware of an orchestrated plot by officialdom to taint his hard won reputation.
“I am much aware of the ploy by some government officials to dent my image and personality. Some of them believe that the past NPP government led by President Kufuor installed me as the Ga chief so they will do everything to sideline me,” the king retorted.
In a more angry tone, the beleaguered king of Ga Mashie minced no words saying that Accra belongs to the Gas and, therefore must be given the needed acknowledgment and respect.
“This land (referring to Accra) belongs to Gas and under no circumstances should they be sidelined. I am of the firm belief that some people want to take the Ga community for a ride,” the king bluntly stated.
Speaking on Peace fm, an Accra-based radio station, Mr Anyidoho reiterated that the state protocol’s resolve not to invite the Ga Mantse to any national gathering was backed by law.
According to him, Act 277 of the 1992 Constitution under the Chieftaincy Act is clear about who a rightful or a lawful king is, adding that King Tackie Tawiah’s outbursts were unfortunate and misguided.
Although he admitted that then candidate Mills, during the electioneering campaign paid homage to the embattled Ga king, he maintained that the myriad of court cases has become an albatross on his neck which is preventing him from full recognition in society.
Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III
“Yes, it is true that the NDC during the 2008 electioneering campaign went to seek the support and blessing of King Tackie Tawiah, the fact still remains that there are so many cases in court that he must address first and foremost,” Anyidoho submitted.
He, however, brushed aside claims that there is a cartel in the NDC government who are working fervently against him (referring to king Tackie Tawiah III).
He continued: “In fact, there are not any interest groups in the NDC who are working against the Ga state and I can say this without any fear of contradiction that the needed recognition accorded to the Ga Mantse will be given to him if all the court disputes are settled.
“And inasmuch as we want to uphold the rule of law, the government believes it would not be out of place to ensure that the right thing is done,” the communications director at the seat of government stressed.
Meanwhile, the comments of King Tackie Tawiah III, has attracted mixed reactions from a cross section of Ghanaians, particularly Gas.
Whilst some of them lauded government for the bold step it has taken by waiting for the verdict of the court, others have opined that the government had given the Ga Mantse a raw-deal.
STORY: STEPHEN DARKO
KING TACKIE TAWIAH III IS THE THE KING OF GA STATE