The Paramount Chief of Gbese, Nii Ayi Bonte II, has cautioned companies and corporate organisations operating within the Abofu area in Achimota against paying royalties to unauthorised individuals and groups claiming ownership of lands in the area.According to him, it had come to his attention that some corporate entities had been making payments to persons purporting to represent the Oku We Family, the recognised custodians of Abofu lands.• Nii Ayi Bonte IISpeaking at a ceremony in Accra to install Nii Okuley Tetteh I as the new Head of the Oku We Family, Nii Ayi Bonte II stressed the need for all stakeholders to take note and direct such matters only to the legitimate authority."We are by this statement drawing attention to the illegitimate collection and payment of royalties and cautioning the public not to deal with such individuals who are parading as Oku We Family members," the Gbese Mantse warned.He emphasised that the Oku We Family remains the rightful owners of Abofu lands and that all royalties must be channelled through Nii Okuley Tetteh I, the newly installed Head of Family."All companies at Abofu must take note and refrain from engaging with any unauthorised persons or groups regarding royalty payments," he said.For his part, Nii Okuley Tetteh I pledged to work towards uniting the Oku We Family and promoting peace and development within the Gbese Traditional Area."We must set our differences aside and recognise that wherever we are, we remain one big family," he said. "Let us come together to build our great Oku We Family."Outside his traditional role, Nii Okuley Tetteh I is also an environmental activist and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Won Bee Ga (Ba) Community Development Project, a non-profit organisation promoting responsible plastic waste disposal and environmental education.Following his installation, he was formally inducted into the Gbese Mantse Palace by Nii Ayi Bonte II.Oku We is one of the foundational clan houses forming the council of elders within the Gbese Traditional Area.
It oversees multiple towns and villages and holds authority over royalty matters, chieftaincy, and the appointment of local leaders in alignment with the Gbese Stool.Historically, the Oku We Family contributed land to the colonial administration for the establishment of Achimota, including the founding of Wales College-now known as Achimota School.Nii Okuley Tetteh I expressed optimism about the future, calling on all stakeholders to cooperate with the Oku We Family and the Gbese Stool in their collective efforts to promote unity and development across the area.
