Asafo warriors of the Osu Stool, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, stormed a programme organized by the US Embassy in Osu to protest against the involvement of one Bernard Botchway, also known as Nortse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, in his alleged capacity as Osu Mantse.
The said Bernard Botchway, according to the Asafo group, has been restrained by the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs from holding himself as Osu Mantse and has been cited for contempt at the High Court by the kingmakers of Osu, the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, for repeatedly breaching the restraining order.
The programme was a special musical performance by the United States Army Europe Barborossa Woodwind Quintet at the Ringway Estate Basic School, Osu, which was organized by the US Embassy in collaboration with the said Bernard Botchway in his alleged capacity as Osu Mantse. Chanting war songs, the Asafo Warriors, clad in red, expressed strong protests and urged the US Embassy officials to rescind the involvement of the said Bernard Botchway.
Earlier, a youth group in Osu, Osu for Peace, Progress and Unity Movement (OPPUM), conveyed their strong reservations to the US Embassy on the said collaboration with Bernard Botchway in a press statement.
The statement, signed by the PRO of the group, Reginald Opintan, said the modus operandi of Bernard Botchway has been to attend high-profile events and to seek photo and video opportunities in a bid to create “false legitimacy” and cautioned the US Embassy not to be pawns in his schemes.
“Bernard Botchway has been restrained by the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs from holding himself as Osu Mantse.
However, ever since the Regional House of Chiefs placed the Restraining Order on him, he has refused to respect the Order and has been aided by one Ishmael Adumuah, a person we all know used to be the Oshiahene of Osu but has been dismissed by the Dzaase for his lawless acts,” the statement said.
It added that both Bernard Botchway and Ishmael Adumuah had been cited for contempt at the High Court, but because of their connections with some individuals and government officials in the past NPP government, they succeeded in delaying proceedings at the High Court.
“We have written to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dr Dominic Ayine, to ensure the speedy trial of this case to prevent these individuals from taking our legal system for a ride.
“They have disrespected the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, and they are now doing the same to the High Court,” the statement said.
It added that the activities of the two individuals are creating needless tensions in Osu. “As youth, we are worried about the development, peace, and security of Osu because of the lawless activities of these two individuals.
“Bernard Botchway has now formed what he claims to be Osu Stool Council and purports to be the President of this body, which is alien to the customs and traditions of Osu. Indeed, in the customs and traditions of Osu, there is no body known as the Osu Stool Council.
“What exists are the Osu Traditional Council and the Osu Stool. His desperation to become Osu Mantse is so intense that he has gone berserk, creating institutions that do not exist within the traditional setup of Osu,” the statement added.
The group urged the US Embassy to desist from entertaining the said Bernard Botchway and Ishmael Adumuah since they did not have any legitimate authority in Osu.
“We also wish to advise the media to be careful about giving their platforms to these individuals whose actions are threatening the peace and security in Osu.
“Additionally, we wish to advise government officials, politicians, diplomats, business organisations, and the general public to be careful about their association with these individuals who have decided to disrespect the laws of the land. By their association with them, they are helping to create a system of confusion and lawlessness,” the statement said.
The group urged all indigenes of Osu, particularly the youth, to remain calm and avoid any lawless acts. “Let us respect the constitution of our dear country; let us protect the honour and respect of our chieftaincy institution,” the statement said.
“However, we wish to serve notice that should these individuals continue to be allowed to disrespect the customs and traditions of Osu, then the youth of Osu shall rise and embark on peaceful but relentless protests to drum home our message,” the statement added and affirmed that OPPUM remained committed to building a strong, peaceful, prosperous, and united Osu.
In the same vein, the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, the Kingmakers of Osu, in a letter addressed to the US Embassy, sought to bring the attention of the Embassy to the need to dissociate itself from the said Bernard Botchway.
According to the kingmakers, there are duly gazetted chiefs of Osu whose legitimacy is recognized in the National Register of Chiefs and thus implored the Embassy to desist from entertaining any imposter.
“There are duly gazetted Chiefs in Osu who have their names in the National Register of Chiefs, and the US Embassy can contact the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase for assistance in such matters.
“We, therefore, wish to advise the US Embassy to cancel the said programme or refrain from entertaining these two personalities in the programme and in any future programmes or collaborations,” the letter, signed by the Head of the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, Nii Saban Atsen VII, said.
GA
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