Onukpa bé Ga lo?

Growing up, my late father used to take me to the James Town Fishing Harbour to buy fish.

After that, we would walk a few metres to his father’s house which is just a stone’s throw from the famous Lighthouse.

While there, I would play with some of my age mates in the vicinity and also mingle with the elderly ones, some of whom were from Sempe.

In all that, there was one general thing I noticed about us, Gas - gross indiscipline and lack of respect for the elderly. The young could cast serious insinuations at the elderly and walk away because the older ones also often used very vulgar words indiscriminately.

Order was absent and it was there I heard on many occasions, the phrase “Onupka b3 Ga lo?”, meaning “Is there no elderly person in Ga?”

As a young journalist in the year 2003, I was assigned to the Ga Mantse Palace to cover an event. It was the presentation of cash, drinks and other items to the members of the Ga Traditional Council to comm

All those politicians who do not want to see peace on this land should bow their heads in shame wherever they are for taking advantage of the lack of reasonable elders among us to divide us. They will live to regret for sowing seeds of discord among us and making us the mockery of the town.

To those elders who have also, for monetary reasons, sold their conscience to these politicians, we the youth thank them for their greed but they need to know one thing – the very seeds they sow today will be reaped by their children and grandchildren.

The blood of every precious life lost in the course of every confusion they created will forever be on their hands and posterity will judge them.

What to emulate

In my early years before the enstoolment of the present Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, , there were reports about an attempt by some politicians to force onto the throne, a known personality within the region who was also heir apparent to the throne but for his bad social record and open affiliation to one political group.

The late queenmother stood her ground and all those politicians stepped aside because the authority of the queenmother was more powerful. Again, the Ashantis demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that they would not tolerate some greedy politicians and outsiders throwing dust into their most revered and respected kingdom.

Today, the Ashanti tradition goes on and it has become even more revered and formidable all over the world because of the wisdom and the glory Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has added to the kingdom.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, there was a simple rule being followed in the past to select the ruler. The four houses rotate. Why then has it become so difficult to determine which house should have its turn after the demise of Nii Amugi?

I trust that the National House of Chiefs should be in the position to tell. I, therefore, join the call on the ground, calls from Gas who have the conscience to demand a truce and an end to this disgraceful situation we find ourselves in.

Listening to my brothers and sisters on the ground, we want peace in the Ga State and we will be prepared to go by the wise counsel of the President of the House to bring lasting peace. I only pray that he will allow objectivity, transparency and truth to prevail so that the people will accept his pronouncement after it has been made.

Also we keep asking the question: where is Nii Adama Latse? Why is he not seen anywhere sitting in state or joining any state function? The answers are on the wall and we, as Gas, must open our eyes wide to see and act fast.