Ga South meets factions in Kokrobite dispute

Source: Daily Graphic Ghana  -  The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ga South, Mr Jerry Nii Akwei Thompson, has cautioned the two factions in the Kokrobite chieftaincy dispute to maintain peace in the area while the Ngleshie Traditional Council adjudicates to find a solution to the impasse.

Mr Akwei Thompson said the Municipal Security Council, which he chairs, would not sit unconcerned while the factions engaged in acts such as demonstrations and casting of insinuations, threats and taunts that might disturb the peace in the area and deny law-abiding residents freedom to engage in their economic and social activities.

Mr Akwei Thompson gave the warning last Tuesday when he met the two factions, youth leaders and some opinion leaders from Kokrobite, at Weija in an effort to chart a road map for the resolution of the dispute.

The meeting, which was a follow-up to an earlier one the MCE had with the leaders of the two factions two weeks ago, was attended by Nii Arday Nkpa VII and Nii Ofei III and the two youth leaders, Augustine Neequaye and Abraham Nii Ansah Sackey.

Background

The dispute is about the family lands at Kokrobite, including those at Lumba and Tuba which belong to the Nii Arday Nkpa family, and activities that have transpired after the death of Nii Ofei II.

According to tradition, the Nii Ofei family are the caretakers of the land and that each time the Ofeis installed a chief, they had to inform the Nkpa family.

Three days after the death of Nii Ofei II in 2010, Nii Ofei III was installed as the new chief of Kokrobite without the Nii Arday Nkpa VII family being consulted as was then the case of Nii Ofei II.

In December last year a clash erupted between the two factions which resulted in the death of a member of the Arday Nkpa family.

The situation created tension, suspicion and panic in the area for fear of reprisals.

Smoke peace pipe

Speaking to the gathering, Mr Akwei Thompson who did not mince words about his regret for the unfortunate development, advised the factions to smoke the peace pipe and bring back peace, law and order to the area.

He also urged the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council which is adjudicating the case to expedite action and be fair and firm in its recommendation for peace to prevail during the Homowo festival in August and afterwards.

He said since the area, with its fine stretch, served as a tourist spot, whoever fomented trouble or created unnecessary panic in the area would not be spared and warned hoodlums who might exploit the situation to cause mischief and mayhem for their selfish ends to desist from such plan.

The MCE asked the chiefs, opinion leaders and the youth to show maturity, transparency, equity and be accountable to the people they served.