The Osu Stool Secretary Nii Okwei Nortey has on behalf of the Stool responded to a certain public notice in the dailies signed and delivered by lawyer Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour in respect of Osu Stool matters a couple of days ago.
The response seeks to educate lawyer Gyeabour on the nitty-gritties of the Osu cultural values and the traditional lineages on which the Osu Stool(Sei Kwame) is founded.
It also cautioned the counsel to be mindful of his legal ethics.
Thus captured below in full text:
“Our attention has been drawn to a Public Notice (Daily Guide dated 11 April 2022at page 34) signed by Nii Saban Atsen VII and Lawyer Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour of Kyidon Royal Chambers, Ridge, Accra. Under normal circumstances we would not respond to such notices which add no value to the pressing issues of ensuring that the people of Osu work together in developing the fatherland, and in giving hope of a better future to our youth; for themselves and their families.
If indeed the people you allege to be parading as Osu Mantse and Elders of Osu Stool, is referring to Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, Nii Nortey Adumuah IV Osiahene of Osu and Nii Odartey Sro III, Atofotse and Elders of Osu; let me emphasize here that they are indeed the current Osu Mantse, Osiahene and Atofotse. They are lawfully elected and installed by the Kinkawe Dzaase and the appropriate families. They are legitimate traditional office holders in accordance with Osu custom and tradition.
We know and recognize Nii Saban Atsen VII as a member of Kinkawe Dzaase and Dzaasetse. He could have signed the Public Notice provided he did so on behalf of Kinkawe Dzaase, in which case he would have had to use the Kinkawe Dzaase Letter Heads. He has no right signing letters on behalf of Osu Stool.
The above chronicle regarding the action of Saban Atsen is surprising enough but to have a non-indigene, a nontraditional office holder, and a professional legal person put aside the ethics of his profession and start writing letters using the letterheads of Osu Stool is shocking. What motivates Lawyer Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour of Kyedom Royal Chambers to arrogate to his person the right to Osu Letter Head to write on customary issues which is restricted to designated Office holders of Osu Stool. One wonders what the General Legal Council and the Bar Association have to comment on this!
We are aware that Mr. Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour was a personal friend and counsel of the late Nii Kinka Dowuona VI who passed away on the 5th February, 2021 and Nii Ako Nortei who thereafter was to act as the President of the Osu Traditional Council has also died a few months ago and he is yet to be buried.
Osu Stool is a well-defined entity. It encompasses principally the occupant of Sei Kwame (Osu Black Stool), the Heads of the Four Quarters of Osu, their respective accredited Elders and the Head of the Traditional Council. It does NOT include all the citizens of the world.
Osu land issues are important and at the appropriate time we shall deal with them with due diligence. Presently, the more urgent matters of concern include the absence of peace in our traditional affairs within the four Divisional Areas and our villages. Of equal importance is poor quality of education in our basic schools. We are determined to prepare our children / the youth for the future. They must learn and acquire all the skills necessary for their individual development and for the nation as a whole. To this end we have completed a full survey of pre-schools; primary and JSS schools in the Osu heart-land. We are not satisfied with the results. We intend to revitalize the entire systems to give our children a fighting chance in the future.
Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV has inaugurated a new ICT laboratory at Ringway Estate JHS for the children of Osu, to ensure they become better educated for work of today’s world. This is the first in a series of educational activities; Computer Laboratories, Libraries, Science Equipment and major science resources centers to be initiated by Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV with sponsorship from friends and organizations. This is our core business.
We are through this medium rather advising the general public, Business owners, Investors and the good people of Osu to be mindful of these persons who are hurriedly selling out our inheritance just like they have done to Graphic Cooperation Bungalow, GCB Bungalow and the Osu Stool Compensation. Desist from all transactions with these persons”
Signed:
NII OKWEI NORTEY
OSU STOOL SECRETARY
(026315691)
