Accra, June 16, GNA - Mr Amarkai Amarteifio, Acting Head of Amartsewe of Asere Dzase, on Thursday disassociated the Asere Dzase from the purported role of Nii Amarkai III, Asere Dzasetse, in the installation of Mr George Tackie as Ga Manste under the stool name Nii Tackie Adama Latse II.

He said Nii Amarkai's participation in the said installation ceremony was without the approval and knowledge of the Asere Dzase and elders.

"Nii Amarkai's pronouncements and actions reflect his personal opinion and standing and do not represent the position of the Asere Dzase nor his office," Mr Amarteifio added. Mr Amarteifio was addressing a press conference in Accra to react to the role performed by Nii Amarkai III in his capacity as Asere Dzase during the ceremony.

He was flanked by Mr Nat Nunoo Amarteifio, Principal Elder of Asere Dzase, Nii Ardey Ansah-Hill, Asere Stool Secretary, Nii Amartey, an elder of Asere Stool and Naa Dede Anobiye, Queen mother of Darkuman.

Mr Amarteifio explained that the Asere Dzase's attention was drawn to a publication in the Tuesday, June 14, edition of the Daily Graphic on the installation of the new Ga Mantse. According to the publication, Nii Amarkai was alleged to have participated in the nomination, election and installation which were subsequently confirmed by the pronouncements he (Nii Amarkai) made on radio and television.

He pointed out that Asere Dzase, being an important stakeholder in the installation of a Ga Mantse, had a vital role to play in the whole affair and did not want to comprise its neutral position. Mr Amarteifio explained that it was the Asere Dzase who had to select elders from the clan to perform certain rites to crown a Ga Mantse with the 93Adowa Fai" before he took office as Ga Mantse. He said the position of Asere Dzase was to ensure peace and unity in the Ga State and not to take sides in relation to the many claimants as Ga Mantse.

Mr Amarteifio said the Asere Dzase would abide by the final determination of the matter pending before the appropriate judicial body and appealed to all people of goodwill to be restrained in their actions and utterances concerning the matter. He said the position of Asere Dzase had been communicated to the elders and representatives of Ga Dzase at a meeting held on Tuesday, June 14, in the presence of Nii Amarkai III, Dzasetse and Acting Asere Mantse.