Photo: Embattled Ishmael Adumuah
– Osu Kingmakers Reaffirm Rejection of Ishmael Adumuah
The Osu Kinkawe Dzaase has reaffirmed its rejection of Ishmael Adumuah for a position on the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, where he was expected to represent the interests of traditional authorities in Osu.
A statement signed by the Dzaasetse, Nii Saban Atsen VII, declared that no legitimate body is known as the Osu Stool Council and urged the public to disregard any statements issued in its name.
“We wish to affirm that no legitimate body is known as the Osu Stool Council. What exists is the Osu Traditional Council, established under the Chieftaincy Act, and the Osu Stool, the oldest traditional authority in Osu, comprising the four quarters—Kinkawe, Ashante, Anorhor, and Alata. Therefore, any publication issued by the so-called Osu Stool Council should be disregarded,” the statement read.
The statement further emphasized that Ishmael Adumuah had been dismissed by the Dzaase as Oshiahene of Osu and, therefore, no longer had any authority within Osu’s traditional leadership.
It also noted that the statement from the so-called Osu Stool Council, which formed the basis for recent media reports, appeared unsigned. However, the Dzaase accused one Bernard Botchway of being behind the publication.
“While no name is referenced as having signed the statement on which these reports were based, we have cause to suspect that one gentleman, Bernard Botchway, is responsible. If the publications indeed originated from the so-called Osu Stool Council, then he is likely behind them, as he claims to be the President of the Osu Stool Council on social media pages associated with him,” the statement said.
It added that Bernard Botchway, also known as Nortse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, has been restrained by the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs from holding himself as Osu Mantse.
The Dzaase further stated that although the Judicial Committee had restrained all three claimants to the Osu Stool, Bernard Botchway continued to unlawfully present himself as Osu Mantse, aided by Ishmael Adumuah.
The statement also revealed that Ishmael Adumuah claimed to have installed Bernard Botchway as Osu Mantse despite his dismissal as Oshiahene of Osu.
Additionally, it recalled that in 2023, Ishmael Adumuah applied to the High Court to be recognized as the Acting Regent of Osu, but his application was dismissed.
“The High Court ruled that the Oshiahene is not entitled to act as Regent in the event of the demise of the substantive Osu Mantse,” the statement noted.
Furthermore, the Court acknowledged that a letter signed by Dzaasetse Nii Saban Atsen VII confirmed Adumuah’s suspension as Oshiahene by the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase.
The statement stressed that Nii Saban Atsen VII is a gazetted chief, whereas Ishmael Adumuah, even before his dismissal.
It therefore urged the NDC government to respect the choices of the traditional authorities and reject the nomination of Ishmael Adumuah as their representative on the Korley Klottey Municipal Assembly.
“It would be an act of absolute disrespect for the NDC government to endorse someone who has been indefinitely suspended and later dismissed as a chief by the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase,” the statement said.
The Dzaase also disclosed that it had nominated two gazetted chiefs for consideration as representatives of the traditional authorities in the Korley Klottey Municipal Assembly and appealed to the NDC government to uphold their wishes.
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