Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Victory in Ga Mantse Chieftaincy Case
In a significant legal triumph, the Supreme Court of Ghana has unanimously overturned a Court of Appeal ruling that had upheld a High Court order to restore Nii Tackie Adama Latse II’s name in the National House of Chiefs registry as Ga Mantse.
This decisive judgment marks a major development in the longstanding chieftaincy dispute within the Ga State. The contention centers on the rightful occupant of the Ga Mantse stool, a matter that was originally heard by the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II was formally enstooled as Ga Mantse in 2020. However, his position was challenged by Nii Tackie Adama Latse II, who claimed prior enstoolment in 2017. The Regional House of Chiefs later removed Nii Adama Latse II’s name from the official register, recognizing King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II instead.
In response, Nii Adama Latse II’s legal team filed a mandamus application at the High Court, seeking to compel the National House of Chiefs to reinsert his name into the register. The High Court granted the request, a decision the Court of Appeal later affirmed.
However, lawyers for King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, led by constitutional law expert Professor Peter Atudiwe Atupare, challenged the rulings at the Supreme Court. They filed a certiorari application, arguing that their client was not included in the High Court or Court of Appeal proceedings, thereby violating his right to natural justice.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court upheld the application, ruling that King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II’s right to be heard had indeed been breached. The court unanimously quashed the decisions of both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, effectively nullifying the order to reinstate Nii Adama Latse II in the registry.
This verdict is being hailed as a landmark in affirming due process and natural justice in traditional leadership disputes.
Nii Adama Latse II
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