Accra: The second successor in the divine right of kingship to Nzemaland, King Kaku Aka III, has declared that the British Colonial Administration lacked the moral right to install Paramount Chiefs in the Nzema traditional areas after the capture and execution of his first forebear, King Kaku Aka I. King Kaku Aka I was the first Paramount Chief and Overlord of the Nzema Kingdom, known for refusing to sign the Bond of 1844 and resisting attempts to subject his people to the slave trade.
According to Ghana Web, the caretakers of the Nzema Kingdom 'blindly' followed the orders of the British Colonial Administration, ascending thrones that did not belong to them. King Kaku Aka III argued that if the reparations for slavery that Ghana and Africa seek from colonial masters are justified, then King Kaku Aka I committed no crime, and his office should be reinstated.
This was outlined in a statement issued by the spokesperson for King Kaku Aka III, Egya Annor Kwasi, and shared with the media in Accra. King Kaku Aka I, who founded the Nzema Kotoko Kingdom, is remembered as 'The Great Nzema King' in history books written by F. K. Buah, former Headmaster of Tema Secondary School.
King Kaku Aka III, who is the Paramount Chief of the Awiaso Traditional Area, emphasized that no political administration could forcibly enstool a foreign chief with no rightful claim to the throne. He highlighted that even the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs do not have the mandate to install chiefs, as they are not among the kingmakers of the royal family.
He further mentioned that many chieftaincy disputes today stem from colonial attempts to usurp the powers of traditional rulers, replacing them with people who were not rightful heirs. King Kaku Aka III noted that while Western countries experienced a shift from monarchical absolutism, sovereign nations should maintain their original history and traditions to avoid future repercussions.
The traditional ruler expressed concern over the distortion of history, as individuals have 'stolen' stools and disregarded historical records. He pointed out that history books that help children understand the past and present have been removed from educational curricula and libraries.
King Kaku Aka III called on the National House of Chiefs to review historical archives to identify legitimate and divine rights to the title of Overlord of Nzemaland, aiming to resolve long-standing disputes and litigations over land and succession.