The Osu Youth Development Association and Asafo
Groups protested against the lawlessness of the community aided by some selfish serving individuals who do not understand the process of customary rites at Osu, Accra last Monday on 8th July 2019.
Just a week ago the Youth Development Association sighted a notice of coronation of Asafoatsemei for Osu, Nima and Maamobi which event took place at the Osu Agbalanshie on the 27th, 28th and 29th June 2019 respectively. The notification said the coronation was under the auspices of Nii Nortey Owuo III (the third), a purported Osu Mantse and Nii Oblanta I (the first).
We also sighted a letter dated 24th June 2019 addressed to Onukpa Futa III (the third), lawful head Futa Family of Nima by Nii Odoi Kwao II (the second) Head of Family of Nii Odoi Kwao respectfully, the letter was copied to the appropriate agencies responsible to ensuring peace and order in Nima. Again another letter sighted by Osu Stool Dzaasetse, Nii Saban Atsen VII on behalf of the accredited Osu Kinkawe Dzaase of the Osu Traditional Council seeking to inquire whether the council was aware of such installations but were not aware.
However the Youth Association got to know that the Council did the honorable thing by writing to the appropriate agencies to ascertain the truth of the matter and if possible to stop the event which is unlawful.
Nii Ako Nortei IV, Osu Mankralo and Nii Kwabena Bonne V, Osu Alata Mantse also accounted that they have no knowledge of the illegal event. The Ghana Police Service was therefore notified by the Osu Traditional Council to follow up and advice the two parties involved to cease and desist from the uncustomary activity. When the Police contacted the alleged perpetrators they denied any knowledge of the activity. The Police Service on this note prevented the ceremony from taking place. However it came to the Youth Association’s ear that the event was carried out on 29th June, 2019, in the Nungua Traditional Area and was supervised by the Gborbu Wulomo, who claims to be the “Shitse” meaning “the overlord” of all Ga-Dangme communities in the Greater Accra Region.
We are putting it on record that the Nungua Traditional Council is aware of the fact that the chieftancy institution is governed by laws i.e. the cheiftancy ACT,2008 (ACT759), as its grounded in its custom. It is therefore a surprise hearing that this uncustomary event was supervised by the “Shitse” without reference to the Osu Traditional Council.
The Gborbu Wulomo has lately portrayed himself as the overall landlord of Ga-Dangbe which is a spurious claim. All the Ga States are autonomous. There are thirteen paramountcy within the Greater Accra Region, Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua Stool, should stop meddling in the affairs of the Osu and other Ga-Dangbe communities.
“We the Youth Association are not against installation of Osu, Nima and Maamobi Asafoatsemei. It is a good thing and part of our traditional setting. The Asafoatsemei are the militants of the chiefs. They are needed in all traditional activities. However we shall also kick against the wrong installation of Asafoatsemei that goes against our customs”. In the Osu Traditional Area the Asafoatsemei is guided by custom procedures. These “gbenaa” (procedures) are exclusive to certain families and not anybody in the community. You must hail from a certain family to be eligible. Therefore it cannot be given out or sold to anybody who feels he or she wants it. This fact remains same in the four(4) quarters of Osu and by extension to villages under the Osu Traditional Area namely Nima, Maamobi, Boi, Haatso, Papao, Kotobaabi, etc.
Therefore its considered that Nii Odoi Kwao II (the second) of Odoi Kwao Clan said he should have been informed and possibly consulted because it lies in his power to carry out such installations, with the consent of Osu Ashante Dzaase, headed by the Mankralo and Nii Tetteh Otututse III, who would then notify the Traditional Council of such event. It is necessary to note that the installation of the right person(s) (who hail(s) from the appropriate house) is necessary to avoid litigation and unwarranted confusion.
Considering the explanation given it is mandatory that the person(s) who performs this traditional sacred rite (in any of the quarters of Osu Traditional Area) should have the traditional CAPACITY to do so to avoid conflict within the community. 
The Youth of Osu disagrees that Gborbu Worlomo has the traditional or ancestral capacity or “gbena” to install any chief, sub chief, asafoatsemei etc in another autonomous paramountcy. It was very unfortunate that the National Chief Imam and his good offices were dragged into the mud.
The Youth Association Development of Osu and the entire Ga-Dangme community condemn this activity which is uncustomary and very ill to GaDangme “kusum” custom rites.
