The Ngleshie-Laafa-Barima Chief under the Jamestown Paramount Stool, Nii Ayi Okufobour I, has publicly challenged the President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nii Odaifio Welenchi III, over recent comments suggesting that the House does not play a role in the enstoolment of chiefs.

In a widely circulated video, Nii Odaifio Welenchi III, who also serves as the Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area, told the people and chiefs of Teshie that the Greater Accra House of Chiefs does not enstool chiefs, stating that such responsibility lies solely with traditional authorities.

He further suggested that when traditional authorities fail in their duties to select appropriate leaders, they have themselves, not the House, to blame.

Reacting to these comments over the weekend, Nii Ayi Okufobour I, who is also the Asafoatse (Warlord) of the Weija Stool in the Ga South municipality, said that while the Nungua Mantse’s message may have been well-intentioned, it was inaccurate and misleading.

“No chief has the mandate to enstool another chief,” Nii Okufobour I stressed.

“Enstoolment is the sole responsibility of the royal families, the Dzaase (kingmakers), and the Wolomei, in accordance with our customs and traditions—not government institutions, registries, or even the Regional House of Chiefs.”

He explained that the Regional House of Chiefs serves as a mediating and adjudicatory body, not as an enstooling authority, and must not overstep its jurisdiction.

Nii Okufobour I also expressed concern over what he described as questionable conduct by the House in a chieftaincy dispute involving the Ngleshie-Alata Paramount Stool.

According to him, one Prince Asharku Quaye, who now claims the stool name Wotse Kojo II, is being wrongfully recognised as the chief of Jamestown despite rejection by the royal family, Dzaase, and kingmakers.

He alleged that the matter, which is currently before the House of Chiefs, was mishandled when the House, under the leadership of Nii Odaifio Welenchi III—inducted Prince Asharku Quaye even before granting a hearing on the substantive case. “This gives the impression that the House is enstooling a chief for the people of Jamestown, which is clearly not within their mandate,” he said.

Nii Okufobour I is now calling on the Nungua Mantse and other senior chiefs to clarify and correct the misleading statements made to the Teshie community, reiterating the importance of following due traditional processes in the installation of chiefs.

“The sanctity of our customs and the authority of our kingmakers must be preserved,” he concluded.