–BY Issah Olegor
The Office of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the recognized Ga Mantse, has firmly denied reports suggesting that the Court of Appeal in Kumasi has declared Nii Adama Latse II as the legitimate Ga Mantse.
According to a press statement released by the Ga Mantse’s legal team, such claims are factually and legally incorrect and have no bearing on the ongoing chieftaincy dispute.
The controversy stems from misleading social media reports and commentary following a Court of Appeal decision issued on June 12, 2025.
These reports claimed that the court ruling reinstated Nii Adama Latse II as the Ga Mantse.
However, the Palace has clarified that the Court of Appeal did not—and legally could not—pronounce on who is the rightful occupant of the Ga Stool.
Legal Position
The Office explains that under Ghanaian law, matters affecting chieftaincy—including determinations of rightful traditional leaders—fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committees of the Traditional Councils, the Regional Houses of Chiefs, and the National House of Chiefs.
The courts, including the Court of Appeal, have no authority to declare anyone as a chief.
The recent Court of Appeal decision only upheld an earlier High Court ruling, which ordered the National House of Chiefs to restore Nii Adama Latse II’s name in the National Register of Chiefs within 14 days.
The legal reasoning was based on procedural grounds—the removal of his name had not followed due process.
The ruling, therefore, pertains strictly to the register and not to who rightfully occupies the Ga Mantse Stool.
Background of the Dispute
The chieftaincy dispute over the Ga Mantse title is a longstanding and complex matter.
In 2019, Nii Adama Latse II filed a petition at the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in Dodowa, challenging the legitimacy of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (known in private life as Dr. Kelvin Tackie).
The respondents in that case include King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Nii Agyemang Kesse I, Dr. Nii Tetteh Kwei, and Nii Dodoo Nsaki I.
In 2020, Nii Adama Latse II sought an interlocutory injunction to restrain King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II from performing any functions as Ga Mantse while the case was pending.
That application was dismissed, with the Judicial Committee ruling that King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II should continue to act in full capacity as Ga Mantse until the final resolution of the matter.
Clarification on Court Parties
The Palace emphasized that the Court of Appeal ruling involved a legal dispute between Nii Adama Latse II, the National House of Chiefs, and Nii Tetteh Ashong (Seitse of the Ga Paramount Stool).
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II was not a party to the litigation and therefore could not have been the subject of any ruling or relief issued by the Court.
Call for Calm and Accuracy
In the statement, the Ga Mantse’s Office urged the media and the general public to disregard “deliberate misinformation” being spread by supporters of Nii Adama Latse II.
They cautioned against interpreting the court’s procedural ruling as a judgment on the substantive chieftaincy issue.
“We reiterate that the only body competent to determine the rightful occupant of the Ga Mantse Stool is the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, and that determination is still pending,” the Palace stated.
The Palace concluded by appealing to the GaDangme public to remain calm and united, emphasizing that King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II remains the legally recognized Ga Mantse until a final ruling is issued by the appropriate traditional authority.
