The Nungua Traditional Council has raised strong objections to what it describes as a coordinated attempt to impose centralized traditional authority over the historically autonomous Ga towns.

At a press briefing held on Tuesday, Chief of Nungua Nkpor, Nii Borteyfio Borteykwei Afadi-Nsro I expressed concern over recent actions and public statements by some individuals from Ga Mashie, which it said were creating “widespread confusion” under the guise of promoting unity among Ga-speaking communities.

According to the Council, evidence shows that these actions are linked to a broader agenda to place all Ga towns under the authority of the Ga Mashie Mantse (Ga Mantse). The leadership pointed specifically to a formal petition submitted to the National House of Chiefs by solicitors representing the Ga Mashie Mantse.

The petition reportedly seeks an amendment to Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2409 to confer on the Ga Mashie Mantse the title “Overlord of the Ga State” and to vest authority over all newly elevated and restored Paramount Chiefs in him. The Nungua Traditional Council warned that such a change would impose “a centralized hierarchy inconsistent with the historical, customary, and traditional governance structures of the Ga people.”

The Council argued that its concerns are grounded in established historical records and official findings. Citing the 2011 Sub-Committee Report of the National House of Chiefs on stool elevation applications, the Council emphasized that the Ga-speaking people have long consisted of seven independent, self-governing political entities: Tema, Nungua, Teshie, Osu, La, Gã Mashie, and James Town (Ngleshie Alata).

The report, the Council noted, states clearly that these towns “owe no customary allegiance to the Ga Mantse,” and their grouping under the Ga Traditional Council was purely for administrative convenience rather than traditional subordination.

“It has never been the case that the Ga Mantse is the customary sovereign over all Ga-speaking towns,” the Council stressed, referencing both historical accounts and findings by the National House of Chiefs. It added that while the Ga towns collaborated in matters such as warfare and shared spiritual duties, no political hierarchy placed Ga Mashie above any of the other Ga polities.

The Sub-Committee Report, the Council further explained, clarified that the title “Ga Mantse” creates a misleading impression of universal paramountcy and that, in customary reality, the Ga Mantse is the Paramount Chief of Ga Mashie alone. For accuracy, the Council recommended the use of the title “Ga Mashie Mantse.”

The Nungua Traditional Council concluded by urging the National House of Chiefs, government institutions, and all stakeholders to safeguard the long-standing autonomy of Ga towns and prevent actions that could destabilize peace and unity within the region.