The Nungua Mantse, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III has been elected the President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs (GARHC).
Until his election, Professor Welentsi III was the Vice President and acting President of the House.
Professor Welentsi III became the acting President following the demise of the Paramount Chief of Shai Osudoku Traditional Area, who was the President of the House.
The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, had initially filed to contest the position but he withdrew in a letter addressed to the Greater Accra Regional Director of Electoral Commission, Mrs Gladys Pinkrah.
That paved the way for Professor Welentsi III to go unopposed.
He will now serve as the President of GARHC for four years, before another election would be conducted pursuant to Act 759 of 2008, which provides that election for the position of President be held every four years.
Also elected into the office of Vice President, GARHC, is Nene Tetteh Wakah III, the Paramount Chief of Prampram Traditional Area.
Professor Welentsi III and his vice took both the oath of office and oath of secrecy administered by Ms Bacilia Adjei-Tawiah, a circuit court judge.
After administering the oaths, the judge advised the chiefs to use the office to foster peace and development.
Ms Adjei-Tawiah urged them to disassociate chieftaincy matters from litigation.
In his remarks, Professor Welentsi III expressed his profound gratitude to the chiefs for electing him as the President.
He described his election as a “victory for all” and a call to serve for the benefit of the people.
“I consider this not just my personal victory, but a victory for all of us. While I will be assuming the role of President for the next term, I see it as a responsibility to be shared with all of you,” Professor Welentsi III said.
He said that despite his extensive experience and familiarity with ethics, codes, and ways of operating, he would need “the counsel and assistance of fellow comrades to fulfil my duties to the best of my ability. I will actively seek input from our former President’s and other members of the House on matters of mutual interest.”
“I hope and trust that you will make yourselves available to me when I reach out to you, particularly during urgent and critical moments.”
The President of GARHC apologized to those he may have offended and said he would improve on the contribution of his predecessor.”
“As human beings, we are fallible and can make mistakes, whether by omission or commission. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize if I have intentionally or unintentionally caused any offense or inconvenience to any member in the past or present. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.”
“As your President, I have my own distinct vision and may have different approaches to certain subject matters and activities compared to my predecessor. However, I assure you that I will honour and expand upon his contribution – while I introduce new ideas for the benefit of all.”
ALSO READ: