Nii Doku III and some leaders at the media interaction
The Supreme Head of Gbese Somnenaa, Nii Doku III has denied claims by Gbese Mantse Nii Ayibonte II that he has been suspended as the head of Gbese Somnenaa.
Addressing the media at the family residence in Gbese, Nii Doku III added that the Gbese Mantse Nii Ayibonte II faulted in appointing a new head of family for Swalaba Quarter and inducting him into the Gbese Paramount Stool to rival his position knowing that the Swalaba Quarter is a quarter under the Nii Doku We.
Setting the records straight the Supreme Head of Gbese Somnenaa Nii Doku III recalled that upon his appointed as Head of the Nii Doku We and Gbese Sonmenaa on August 5, 2023, he was inducted into the Gbese Paramount Stool on the same day where the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayibonte II and his Dzaase accepted his induction and urged him to as a matter of urgency appoint an Asofoatse from the Nii Doku We.
This according to them is in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Nii Doku We, Gbese, and Sonmenaa to appoint the Asafoatse.
This he said compelled him to consult the Principal Elders of the Nii Doku We to nominate and appoint an Asafoatse from the family known in private life as Lionel Nii Nertey Nettey with the customary name Asafoatse Christopher Bradford Nettey V.
The Supreme Head of Gbese Somnenaa revealed that after the appointment of the Asafoatse he introduce him to the Gbese Paramount Stool where Nii Ayibonte II registered his displeasure with the mode of appointment of the Asafoatse adding he engaged Nii Ayibonte II in an attempt to pacify him and also rectify the lapses in the appointment of the Asafoatse.
The Principal Elders of the Doku We he said engaged the Ga Mantse, the Gborbu Wulomo, the Sempe Mantse and the entire membership of the Ga Traditional Council and other prominent persons to plead with the Gbese Mantse and his Dzaase to accept the validly appointed Asafoatse which the Gbese Mantse and his Dzaase gave the impression that they have accepted the Asafoatse only to turn around and appoint another person as the Asafoatse, knowing that the position was not vacant a situation that would bring conflict among the family and Gbese as a whole.
The Supreme Head of Gbese Somnenaa stated that in his attempt to resist the interference in matters relating to and affecting his family the Gbese Mantse and his Dzaase published in the Newspapers that they had purportedly suspended him as head of his family.
Responding to the publication, Nii Doku III bemoaned that the purported suspension was in breach of the rules of natural justice and the customs, practices adding that as the Head of family of the Nii Doku We, he would not allow the Gbese Mantse and his Dzaase who are not members of his family to determine who will be appointed to any customary position within the family.
According to him, per the laws and customary practices it is only the Principal Elders who validly nominated, elected and appointed him as family head that can remove or suspend him.
“I want to state categorically that I am still the head of the Nii Doku We of Gbese Sonmenaa and will continue to act as such without any intimidation from the Gbese Mantse and his Dzaase” he noted.
He added that Nii Doku III, Principal Head of Family of the Nii Doku We, is the only legitimate head of family with the authority to select Gbese Asafoatse Nukpa stating that what has been purportedly done is not valid under the customs, practices and traditions of the people of Gbese and he and his Principal Elders will never accept it.
“I would also wish to put across the fact that if there is a dispute amongst members of a family, why should Nii Gbese and his Dzaase take sides” he queried
He believes the proper thing for Nii Gbese and his Dzaase to do was not to take sides but rather take steps to resolve the conflict.
He stated that Nii Gbese and his Dzaase have an agenda to divide the Nii Doku We for their own parochial interest warning that he as the Family Head will not allow anyone to usurp his authority as the head of family and perform his roles and responsibilities adding that he will never entertain this today and in the future.
He added that whatever action he took as the Head of the Nii Doku We with his Principal Elders in the selection of Asafoatse for Gbese in the person of Christopher Bradford Nettey V still stands valid.
“Nii Gbese is not a member of the Nii Doku We and we will not allow him to interfere in matters relating to and affecting our family. We will uphold and defend the longstanding values of our family at the peril of our lives and I call on all members of the Nii Doku We and Gbese as a whole to resist the illicit actions of Nii Gbese and his Dzaase” he noted.
