From Eric’s Diary: My first Ga Manye funeral

I don’t remember her for any scandal, not any element of negativity.

At the press conference that announced her demise in February this year, the Chief of Protocol and Communication of the Ga Traditional Council, Mr.

My expectation was that the chiefs of these Ga communities would, in solidarity with the Ga State, say that since it is only one day, their residents should join in the observation of the funeral rites for the Ga Manye.

Rather, I saw press releases issued by the chiefs of Tema and my paternal hometown, Osu, telling the residents to go about their normal duties.

What happened to solidarity?

“We wish to state that Tema is a separate and autonomous Traditional Area with its own Traditional Council and the jurisdiction of the GTC (Ga Traditional Council) does not extend to Tema Traditional Area…” To what end?

I asked.

Then the part that put me off completely, “While we at TTC (Tema Traditional Council) will join the GTC to mourn the Ga Manye, we are calling on all residents and institutions to go about their planned activities within the Traditional Area and not panic.” What would Nii Adjetey Agbo II, Mankralo and Acting President, have lost if the residents and institutions were made to pay homage to the Ga queen for just a day?

Now to my father’s people, “We want to state without equivocation that the Osu Traditional Area does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Ga Traditional Council.

Therefore, the said directive does not affect residents and institutions within the Osu Traditional Area” Rev Solomon Kwatei, Stool Secretary, wrote.

“Without equivocation?” Hmm power!

Clearly, their communique sought to establish their independence, without averting their minds to the fact that by so doing, they painted a picture of disunity among Gas, even in mourning Her Royal Majesty Naa Dedei Omaedru III.

Photo Credit: Destiny Photography

How beautiful it would have been if they had, in unison, shown their commitment to the cause of Ga people by standing with the Ga Traditional Council in enforcing the restrictions imposed, within their communities.

Otherwise, what would you gain from stalling the burial of a ten-month-old corpse?

It gladdens my heart that the Ga Traditional Council has punished the ‘injuncters.’ Their leader, Asafoiatse of Asere Djorshie, Nii Kotey Ga has been stripped of his position and notified not to hold himself out as such.