Ga Mantse: The “foolishness” must stop or we'll defend ourselves

Nii Tackie Tawiah III         The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III has threatened to defend himself and the Ga stool if destructive invasions at his palace are not halted. The Ga palace has had two separate attacks in three days by assailants said to be linked to a claimant of the Ga stool. In Monday’s attack, properties within the palace were raided whilst an occupant alleged he was subjected to severe beating by the unknown assailants. Three of the assailants were arrested by the police with an announcement of a search for Ayittey Canada, the claimant to the stool who is also alleged to be masterminding the attacks. In his first major public comment on the matter, the incensed Ga Mantse told newsmen that Monday’s attack is the last straw and that Gas will take no more the “foolishness” from elements he alleged were funded by the government to launch attacks on him. According to him, he is not surprised at the deafening silence of the government on the matter, knowing too well ploys by the government to unseat him. “We want the word to go out today that structures, furnishing, grounds, cutlasses, cowry and cowardly instruments will not dent, touch even grieve the Ga state, because the Ga state does not live in structures or implements or instruments. The Ga state resides in the Gas. “We have been tolerant; we have been pushed around; we have been given the run around but we have not as yet prostrate ourselves before any government. “…What has happened is a warning not to us, but a warning to government that its property will be destroyed; its structure may be destroyed; its environment may be desecrated but we as Gas have been provoked enough and when we rise, well no one should say we are doing so as a political reaction. “We would react when the need arises as a people who have been abused, pressed, provoked and above all denied” he lamented. “If the foolishness will not stop the Gas shall defend that which is Ga’s,” he warned. reaction  The government however says the pronouncement of the Ga mantse is disparaging and unfortunate. A deputy Information Minister, James Agyenim Boateng said the pronouncement lacked “dignity, grace and diplomacy required of a chief.” He reiterated that the government still stands by its policy of non-interference in chieftaincy matters. Mr Boateng dismissed allegations that the government is plotting to unseat the chief, saying the government has more serious engagements to deal with at the Castle. Meanwhile Ayittey Canada, the claimant accused of masterminding the attacks at the Ga Mantse palace has surrendered himself to the Regional Police Command. He denied knowledge of the allegations leveled against him, despite confessions by the three arrested assailants. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana