Officials of the opposition New Patriotic Party have defended the decision to pay a courtesy call on the Ga mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah II. The newly elected national executives of the party on Monday paid homage to the Ga chief and to introduce themselves and their new positions to the chief whose legitimacy is under siege. Critics have questioned the timing and motive of the visit. The Ga chief has in the last few weeks been involved in a war of words with some government officials after he accused the Mills administration of sidelining him and disrespecting the Ga traditions. He challenged the government to prove allegations that the erstwhile New Patriotic Party government manipulated the installation process to have him installed as chief. Subsequently, some government officials demanded that he clears all litigations against him, and be registered as a chief before being recognised by government. In the midst of these controversies, the National Chairman of the NPP Jake Obetsebi Lamptey told Joy News’ Elvis Adjetey, failure to visit the Ga chief will smack of sheer hypocrisy and double standards. According to him, he has led a delegation to the Ga chief on countless occasions in the past and not to do so now will be inappropriate. He would not be drawn into the raging controversies between the Ga chief and the government. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana