Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, the traditional authority responsible for the selection and installation of chiefs in Osu, has distanced itself from Bernard Botchway, also known as Nortse Nii Nortey Owuo IV.
The traditional authority has stated that Mr. Botchway is not the Osu Mantse as claimed and should not be recognized as such.
In a statement, the Dzaasetse, Nii Saban Atsen VII, urged the media, government officials, public officers, diplomats, and the general public to disregard all claims made by Mr. Botchway in relation to the Osu Stool.
“We wish to advise all relevant stakeholders not to associate or deal with this gentleman in any capacity as Osu Mantse, as he has not been installed by the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase—the only authorized body mandated to install the Osu Mantse,” the statement read in part.
Nii Saban Atsen VII emphasized that the self-styled chief is the subject of a suit at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs. The Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs has, therefore, placed a restraining order against all claimants to the stool, including Bernard Botchway.
While Teteete Nii Nortey Owuo IV, 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 to defy legal mandates.
His persistent disregard for the restraining order has led to contempt proceedings at the High Court in Accra, further deepening concerns about his intentions.
The statement also accused Bernard Botchway of leveraging connections with influential figures from the previous NPP government to bolster his public image. Nii Atsen VII indicated that Botchway’s actions, such as seeking photo opportunities with top politicians, diplomats, and other public figures, appear designed to cultivate political support and mask his lack of legitimate authority.
Moreover, he is said to have been aided by Ishmael Nortey Adumuah, who has been suspended as Oshiahene of Osu by the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, further undermining his credibility.
The traditional authority has urged all concerned parties to adhere to the decisions of the judicial authorities. The statement stressed that all matters pertaining to the Osu Traditional Area and the Osu Stool are, for the interim, under the exclusive authority of the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase.
“We implore the presidency, political appointees, diplomats, and business organizations to exercise caution in their dealings with Ishmael Nortey Adumuah and Bernard Botchway,” it stated, warning that any association with these individuals would be a violation of the established legal framework.
The position of the Osu Kinkawe Dzaase, according to the statement, underscores the importance of preserving the integrity of traditional institutions in Ghana. It serves as a reminder that legitimate authority and installation procedures must be respected to ensure continuity, stability, and trust in cultural leadership.
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Read the full statement below: