CULTURAL NEWS
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Ga Mantse’s Palace ready for coronation
By: CLEMENT ATAGRA
ALL is set for the coronation of Dr. Jo Blankson as the new Ga Mantse today.
This is in spite of the outdooring of a rival candidate Henry Nii Ayitey, 53 by elders of Abola Piam, one of the our Ga Royal Gates, as Ga Mantse on Thursday under the stool name, Nii Tackie Obli II.
The coronation is also in disregard of protestations by the Ga Dzaatse, the traditional group mandated to install Ga Mantse, against Dr. Blankson’s nomination and installation and installation under the stool name, King Tackie Tawiah III.
The Ga Mantse’s Palace at Kaneshie, was undergoing feverish preparations towards the occasion when the Times visited yesterday.
The buildings have been given fresh coats of painting and the lawns trimmed, while canopies have been raised for the expected guests.
The situation at the palace was calm but some Asafo groups were seen singing and parading the palace and surrounding areas.
The chairperson of the Planning Committee for the coronation, Stella Nunoo, said adequate security measures had been put in place to forestall any ontoward behaviour.
Late yesterday, representatives of various organizations were rushing to complete accreditation formalities.
They included personnel of the Bureau of National Investigations, the media and Boys Scout.
Speaking to the Times about the readiness of the police for the coronation, Assistant Commissioner of Police Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, said 50 personnel would be deployed.
Already, he said, “a few groups of policemen have of policemen have for the past week, been patrolling the Ga Mantse’s Palace because of threats by those opposed to the installation and coronation of Mr. Blankson to disrupt the ceremony”.
He said “the job of the police is to maintain law and order, protect life and property as enshrined in the Public Order Act”.
ACP Akrofi Asiedu said that “Dr. Blankson asked for protection and we will be there to ensure that nobody attacks him.
*Source:
The Ghanaian Times - Saturday, April 14, 2007. Page: 3
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