The Osu Kinkawe Dzaase has issued a stern rebuttal against claims made by Bernard Botchway, also known as Nortse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, asserting his status as the Osu Mantse. In a statement released to the media, government officials, organizations, and the public, the Dzaase clarified that Botchway has not been officially installed as the Osu Mantse.
According to the statement, the only body authorized to install the Osu Mantse is the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase. The Dzaase emphasized that Bernard Botchway’s claims are unfounded and misleading, particularly in light of ongoing legal proceedings. They noted that the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has issued a restraining order against all claimants to the Osu Stool, including Botchway.
“The Osu Kinkawe Dzaase wishes to bring to the attention of the media, government officials, organizations, and the general public false claims by one Bernard Botchway, also known as Nortse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, to the effect that he is the Osu Mantse. This is evident in some recent publications in sections of the media.
“We also wish to advise government officials, public officers, diplomats, organizations, and the general public not to associate or deal with the said gentleman in the capacity as Osu Mantse, as he has not been installed as the Osu Mantse by the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, the only authorized body mandated to install Osu Mantse.
“We wish to add that the self-styled Nortse Nii Nortey Owuo IV is the subject of a suit at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs. It is important to add that the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has placed a restraining order against all claimants to the Osu Stool, including the said Bernard Botchway,” the statement dated February 15, 2025, stated.
According to the Dzaase, Botchway, despite the directive by the Judicial Committee, has continued to assert his title, allegedly with political support.
The Dzaase pointed out that Teteete Nii Nortey Owuo IV, recognized by them and known privately as Nicholas Nii Nortey Owuo, a civil engineer with the Ghana Highway Authority, has adhered to the court’s order by not publicly claiming the title. In contrast, Botchway has flouted the legal directives, showing disrespect to the judicial system, which has led to contempt proceedings against him at the High Court in Accra.
“While the person installed by the Dzaase, Teteete Nii Nortey Owuo IV, also known in private life as Nicholas Nii Nortey Owuo, a Civil Engineer with the Ghana Highway Authority, has restrained himself in accordance with the court order, Bernard Botchway continues in this flagrant disrespect of our legal system, apparently as he was empowered by some persons in the previous NPP government. In typical fashion, he appears bent on continuing in this enterprise of cultivating political leaders to embolden and insulate him in his show of disrespect to our legal institutions and in his attempt to force himself onto the Osu Stool.
“It is also important to note that his continuous disregard for the Restraining Order is the subject of contempt proceedings at the High Court, Accra, but, sad to relate, he has even dealt with the High Court with utter contempt and failed to appear at hearings with one excuse or another,” the statement said.
The statement, signed by the Dzaasetse of the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, Nii Saban Atsen VII, also accused Botchway of strategically associating with influential political and diplomatic figures to gain legitimacy and public acceptance. This practice, according to the Dzaase, is part of his broader scheme to manipulate public perception and gain political backing.
Furthermore, the Dzaase alleged that Botchway has been aided by Ishmael Nortey Adumuah, who has no authority to install an Osu Mantse and has been dismissed from his position as Oshiahene of Osu Kinkawe. The Dzaase thus cautioned the public, including the presidency, diplomats, and business leaders, to be cautious in their dealings with both Botchway and Adumuah, as they lack legitimate authority in Osu.
In the interim, all traditional authority in Osu has been vested in the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, led by Nii Saban Atsen VII, the Dzaasetse, as directed by the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.
“We, therefore, wish to advise the presidency, political appointees, diplomats, business organizations, and the general public to be wary of their dealings with Ishmael Nortey Adumuah and Bernard Botchway as they have no authority whatsoever in Osu.
“As directed by the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, all authority pertaining to the Osu Traditional Area and the Osu Stool has, in the interim, been vested in the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase under the leadership of the Head of the Dzaase (Dzaasetse), Nii Saban Atsen VII,” the statement noted.
GA
