Nii Ayi Kodjo V Remains Ayikai Doblo Chief Following High Court Ruling On Ga Traditional Council Appointment

Principal kingmakers and accredited elders of the Ayikai Doblo Divisional Stool in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, have categorically stated that Nii Ayi Kodjo V is still the Chief of Ayikai Doblo. 

According to them, the Amasaman High Court's nullification of the Ga Traditional Council's register has no bearing on his chieftaincy status.

Various self-seeking individuals and elders interested in the Ayikai Doblo stool have been warned to stop their continuous habit of attacking the integrity of the traditionally and customarily installed Ayikai Doblo Mantse, Nii Ayi Kodjo V.

If some individuals are interested in the position of the Ayikai Doblo Mantse, it is improper for them to wrongly accuse the only recognized and legitimate principal Kingmaker of Ayikai Doblo under the Akumajey Traditional Area, as well as the current Ayikai Doblo Mantse, Nii Ayi Kodjo V, and fabricate stories and lies just to satisfy their selfish interests," the aggrieved kingmakers warned."

The continuous habit of attacking prominent personalities, peddling falsehoods, and destroying their hard-earned reputations because of chieftaincy positions is detrimental to the Ayikai Doblo community and must stop immediately in our chieftaincy politics."

The kingmakers issued the warning while debunking fake information spread by critics in Ayikai Doblo, which claimed that a ruling by the High Court at Amasaman had affirmed the destoolment of Nii Ayi Kodjo V.

In a quick counter to the claims made by these self-seeking individuals, the kingmakers noted that, as far as Ga tradition and customs are concerned, these individuals are unknown and not recognized as representatives of any group in Ayikai Doblo. 

They added that this group is fake and non-existent.They stated categorically that no court had ruled on the illegitimacy of the newly-installed chief of the area, noting that the nullification of the Ga Traditional Council's appointment of Nii Ayi Kodjo V does not invalidate the rituals performed by the accredited kingmakers and elders, led by the Paramount Chief of the Akumajay Traditional Area, Nii Ayikai III.

"Our chief, Nii Ayi Kodjo V, remains the legitimate Chief of Ayikai Doblo in accordance with the Chieftaincy Act (Act 759 of 2008), which is well outlined in Section 57, Sub-Section (1) regarding who a chief is," they declared.

They explained that based on Section 57, Sub-Section (1) of the Act, a chief is a person hailing from the appropriate house and lineage, validly nominated, selected, enstooled, or installed in accordance with the relevant customary laws and usages of the area. Therefore, it is untrue that the court has taken a decision on the illegitimacy of the said chief, they added.

They reaffirmed that the traditional and customary power of the Ga state is invested and entrusted into the hands of Nii Ayikai III to install the rightful person from the royal ruling houses—one whose turn is due—to ascend the throne and succeed the late Ayikai Doblo Mantse, Nii Ayi Kodjo IV, who passed away some years ago.

According to them, the self-seeking elders who took Nii Ayi Kodjo V to court have no traditional capacity to take such legal action. 

This informed the decision of the Paramount Chief of the Akumajay Traditional Area, Nii Ayikai III, to write to the court.

"I wish to state that I have installed Nii Ayi Kodjo to represent me in Ayikai Doblo since the village falls under my jurisdiction.

" It is so sad that a faction of my people would take him to court to challenge his authority. I have invited these aggrieved elders to my palace, but they have refused to honor the invitation for a settlement of the matter. 

I am ready to settle the matter at home," part of the letter dated July 1, 2024, reads.According to the kingmakers, the overlord's letter affirms that Nii Ayi Kodjo V did not install himself as the chief of Ayikai Doblo; rather, it was Nii Ayikai III, with the support of the accredited elders and principal kingmakers, who conducted the installation.