King Tackie Tawiah III, Ga Mantse is due to open his defence on May 18 in a suit challenging his nomination and installation when hearing resumes at the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs at Dodowa. The case was adjourned last Friday after the plaintiff, Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo, Akwashongtse (Supreme Commander of the Ga Forces) of the Ga State had given his evidence which he is expected to conclude on May 18. Nii Blofonyo is seeking a declaration that the purported installation of Nii Tawiah, known in private life as Dr Joe Blankson is contrary to Ga custom and rites and therefore null and void. He is also seeking perpetual injunction to restrain him from holding himself as Ga Mantse. Nii Akropong III, Head of Teiko Tsuru We and Numo Tette, Nai Wulomo have been joined in the suit for the role they played in the installation of Dr Blankson. The Akwashongtse in his evidence explained the processes and traditional institutions in the Ga State mandated by custom to install Ga Mantse. He said the selection, nomination and installation of Dr Blankson did not follow the approved customary procedures, making it illegal. In their statement of defence, the defendants denied all the allegations in the writ. They said the plaintiff “does not have the capacity of kingmakers of the Ga paramountcy and thus lacks the necessary grounds to be seen interfering in affairs relating to the enstoolment of Ga Mantse”. The plaintiff also filed an ex-parte application for an injunction to stop the coronation of Dr Joe Blankson as Ga Mantse on April 14, 2007 arguing that the coronation could lead to disturbances in the Ga State. But his application was turned down on April 12, by the committee paving the way for the coronation. This did not affect the status of the substantive suit. The defendants were not present at the hearing. Nii Tackie Tawiah III is being represented by Mr. Willie Amarfio while Nii Blofonyo is represented by Mr Adu Gyamfi Boadu. Source: The Ghanaian Times