King-maker rejects ‘self-styled’ Teshie Mantse
In the statement dated 14 August 2025, Ashitey Hammond cautioned the Nungua Mantse to “immediately desist from presenting, parading, endorsing, and introducing unrecognised individuals,” specifically referencing Gbetsoolo Ashitey Akomfra III, whom he described as a “self-styled” Teshie Mantse.
@wo1.hammond I Warrant Officer One Joseph Ashitey Hammond, hereby issue this formal caution to Nii Odaifio Welentsi III, Nungua Mantse, President of the Dodowa Regional House of Chiefs. You are hereby advised to immediately desist from presenting, parading, endorsing, and introducing unrecognised individuals, including the self-styled Gbetsoolo Ashitey Akomfra III, as the Teshie Mantse. I personally visited your palace in Nungua, three years ago to discuss and seek a conclusive resolution to the longstanding Teshie chieftaincy dispute. At that meeting, you affirmed that the Regional House of Chiefs was looking into the matter. Furthermore, earlier this year you publicly declared that there has been no legitimate Chief in Teshie for the past forty (40) years, which is a factual statement. However, your subsequent actions, including publicly associating with the aforementioned self-styled individual as Teshie Mantse, are inconsistent with that position and constitute an unlawful interference in the affairs of Teshie. As the lawful and recognised King-Maker(Dzasetse) of Teshie, the exclusive authority to enstool or install a Teshie Mantse rests solely with me. Your continued actions in this regard have historically contributed to instability and bloodshed within Teshie, and any further interference will be considered a direct provocation to the peace and unity of the community. I am currently working diligently to ensure a peaceful and lasting resolution to the chieftaincy dispute in Teshie. I therefore demand that you refrain, with immediate effect, from presenting or associating with any person as Teshie Mantse, so as not to undermine or derail the peace process. This serves as an official warning please, desist from further action that would disrupt or undermine the peace existing in the community. A word to the wise is enough. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Signed, Warrant Officer One Joseph Ashitey Hammond King-Maker(Dzasetse) of Teshie Traditional Area
Hammond recounted a personal visit to the Nungua Mantse’s palace three years ago to seek a peaceful resolution to the chieftaincy dispute. During that meeting, the Nungua Mantse reportedly affirmed that the matter was being addressed by the Regional House of Chiefs.
Contradictory statements
In his formal caution, Hammond referenced an earlier public statement by the Nungua Mantse acknowledging that Teshie had not had a legitimate chief in 40 years—a claim Hammond supports. However, he criticised the Nungua Mantse for allegedly reversing that stance by now associating publicly with Akomfra III.
According to the letter, such actions “constitute an unlawful interference in the affairs of Teshie” and “undermine the ongoing peace process.”
Exclusive right to enstool
Hammond emphasised that as the lawful king-maker, he alone holds the traditional authority to install a Teshie Mantse. He stated that any continued interference from the Nungua Mantse “will be considered a direct provocation to the peace and unity of the community.”
Warning against further interference
The letter closes with a direct warning: “This serves as an official warning. Please desist from further action that would disrupt or undermine the peace existing in the community. A word to the wise is enough.”
Awaiting response
As at the time of this publication, Nii Odaifio Welentsi III and the Dodowa Regional House of Chiefs have not publicly responded to the caution.
