The elders of the Gbese Stool have described the purported destoolment of the queenmother of Kojo Ashong, Naa Dedei Akanua III, as false and without merit.According to the elders, neither the Gbese Paramount nor the Kojo Ashong divisional head has undertaken any traditional or legal steps to warrant a destoolment, as such, Naa Dedei Akanua III remains the legitimate queenmother of Kojo Ashong.Consequently, it is directed that indigenes and inhabitants of Kojo Ashong and the general public to disregard any announcement or publication claiming that the queenmother has been removed from her position.All are urged to continue transacting business with Naa Dedei Akanua III either in her private or official capacity as the legitimate queenmother of Kojo Ashong.Speaking to The Ghanaian Times, Nii Dr Ayi-Bonte II, Gbese Mantse, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Gbese Tradition Area and the Adonten of the Ga State explained that proper traditional rituals and legal processes must be followed before any traditional leader, whether at the sub, divisional, or paramount level, could be removed.He however said, no such process had been initiated in this case, stressing that "It is important to emphasise that once a person has gone through the necessary traditional rituals and all legitimate process of enstoolment, such a person remains the legitimate, family head, elder, chief or queenmother of his or her divisional area until the necessary processes have been triggered for his or her removal."Nii Dr Ayi-Bonte II, clarified that although the queenmother was nominated by her family, no individual or group within the family can unilaterally remove her after she has undergone the necessary rituals and sworn allegiance.He further underscored the need for fairness and due process in any such matter, adding that "Just as there are specific rituals for enstoolment, there are equally specific rituals that must be followed for destoolment."Nii Dr Ayi-Bonte II, expressed disappointment with the Nii Okaidja We of Kojo Ashong for disregarding these age old and time-tested rituals, adding to that "And to have gone ahead to publish a destoolment of Naa Akanua III, in the dailies is rather unfortunate."He said such acts which flagrantly disregarded customs and traditions in the traditional area were some of the reasons for chieftaincy disputes in the traditional area and all true royals of the area must desist from such."As we seek to restore the traditional area to its status, we must all endeavour to ensure that we commit to such cause.
The only way we can achieve this is by following the time-tested traditions and respecting all customary procedures in all our dealings," he emphasised.The Nii Okaidja Family of Accra and Obutu on Monday, May 12, 2025 caused to be published a notice of the dethronement of Florence Okailey Okine, with the stool name Naa Dedei Akanua III in the dailies.Signed by the head of family, the notice sought to restrain Naa Akanua III from holding herself as the queenmother of the Okiadja Family of Kojo Ashong, transacting business or dealing or disposing of land of Kojo Ashong and also prohibited from entering the Palace. BY CLIFF EKUFUL
