One of the most respected Ga families in Ussher Town, Nii Tackie Tawiah Tsuru We have entsooled Noyaa Manye (Development Queen Mother) of the family.
The Queen Mother, who was called Stella Naa Afi Tackie, was outdoored on 5th March as Naa Amartsoo Konte I tasked with the responsibility of bringing progress to the family of King Tackie Tawiah.
Speaking about the processes Nii Teiko Tunma Obinufoitse said, ” The Noyaa Manye was taking through a few days of confinement to be taken through the dos and don’ts of her new status as Queen Mother. She was also given counselling and training to build her knowledge in the culture and traditions of her people. After the confinement she wen through a ritual bath to purify her for the journey ahead”.
He also spoke about the outdooring which is the last stage of the enstoolment process.
“Today we are outdoing her as the Noyaa Manye of King Tackie Tawiah We. We are basically outdooring the name and the people gathered here will drink and bear witness to her new name. However, her government name Stella Naa Afi Tackie will still be a valid name. She will have to swear an affidavit to make the change of name official”.
He also bemoaned how some pastors have succeeded in painting the Ghanaian culture and tradition demonic.
“Some pastors have demonized our traditions and so our younger generations won’t even consider our way of greeting. But if you understand the Bible you will know that Jesus when he was born was taken to his home in Nazareth to be named and not to a church. I am a Lay Preacher in the Anglican church but I have learnt about our traditions from a young age from my father who was the family head” he stated.
Aawo Nii Amugi the Festish Priestess who led the processes explained the role women play in the enstoolment process.
“As the Fetish Priestess, I led the confinement, ritual bath and the purification processes during the enstoolment. In the Ga land we show our wealth and beauty with beads and ‘nyayra’. We don’t use gold ornaments and jewellery, but because of modernity some of those elements have been added.”
She also mentioned that the guests and the newly enstooled Queen Mother are in white to signify victory.
“We are in white to signify victory. Today is a day for feasting and merry making. Because after the confinement there hasn’t been any dispute. The entire process has been peaceful, so we show our victory by adorning the Noyaa Manye in white as well as the guests.