Asere State announces death of Akwashon Mantse

The Asere State of Ga Mashie has officially announced the death of Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo II, Ga State Akwashon Mantse.

He died on November 9, 2015 in Accra. The funeral rites begin on Thursday April 14, and ends on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Ga Mantse Palace at Kaneshie in Accra.

A book of condolence has been opened for the public at the Asere Mantse Palace at Kaneshie for sympathizers both at home and the Diaspora.

The palace would be opened from Monday to Friday at 0900 hours to 1600 hours for institutions and the public to sign the book.

Nii Kwatei Olemla I, Ga State Akwashon Gyaasetse; Nii Amarkai III, Asere Gyaasetse; the Ga Traditional Council; Nii Ayi III, Odorkor Mantse and the Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, Nii Korteboi II, Ofankor Mantse, made the announcement at a news conference in Accra.

Nii Olemla, who read a statement on behalf of the chiefs, said the Asere Akwashon Mantse, who was the Supreme Military Commander and the Chief Justice of the Ga State, would be given a befitting burial.

He said a time had come to make manifest the institution of the Akwashon, explaining that the Akwashon is not a Ga word but an Akan word (Ekuason) meaning (slavery) and it was an old Dynasty of Manye Dodi Akaibi that began at Ayawaso around the 16th century.

He said even though the term Akwashon was a title it was also an established role that is played by the personality upon whom it was placed.

Nii Olemla said the title Akwashon Mantse was the sole prerogative of the Kpakpatse We Royal Family in Accra.

“During the wars on the Okaikwei Hills the role of the Akwashon changed from adviser to a war commander of the Ga State. As Chief Justice he tried cases such as murder, rape and destoolment,” Nii Olemla said.

Traditionally, the Akwashon Stool rules from Lanma to Ada and from the coast to Yilo Krobo.

“The Ga State Akwashon Mantse institution is still in place, the roles and state functions still persist; what has changed is the termination of life that is the death sentence pronounced on an accused person by the Akwashon Mantse,” Nii Olemla said.

This information was gathered from the following books: Social Organisation of the Ga People, by M.J. Fields, and The Ga of Ghana, by Henderson Quartey; as well as the National Archives, he said.