Accra: The Asafoatse Christopher Brandford (C.B) Nettey Family of Swalaba Quarters in Sonmenaa has pledged to employ every legal and traditional method available to protect their legacy concerning the Asafoatse title in Gbese. “Our dedication to preserving the legacy of Asafoatse C.B. Nettey remains unwavering,” stated Mr. Herbert Akai Nettey, Secretary of the C.B. Nettey Family, during a news conference over the weekend in Accra. He emphasized the family’s commitment to the traditions, laws, and peaceful values that have shaped Gbese.
According to Ghana News Agency, the press conference was convened to address issues raised by the Nii Doku We Family regarding the Asafoatse title’s legacy in Gbese. The two families have been in conflict over who holds the legitimate claim to the title, which became vacant after the passing of Asafoatse Christopher Akai Nettey IV in 2012.
Mr. Akai Nettey, speaking to the media, asserted that the Nettey Family remains the rightful custodians of the Asafoatse title. He elabor
ated that their claim is deeply entrenched in historical, cultural, and communal responsibilities that their family has honored for generations. Since the 1850s, the lineage of Gbese Asafoatsemei has been rooted in the Swalaba Quarter, with a succession of leaders from Asafoatse Nii Tetteh Nettey, who died in 1859, to the late Asafoatse Christopher Akai Nettey, who reigned until 2012.
Rejecting assertions from the Nii Doku We Family about possessing evidence to support their claim to the Asafoatse legacy, Mr. Nettey described these claims as misleading and noted that no evidence had been presented to the Gbese Council for verification. He also countered arguments suggesting the absence of a vacancy for the Asafoatse title, labeling such claims as inaccurate and affirming that their traditions require the position to be filled from the appropriate gate.
Mr. Nettey emphasized that the installation of an Asafoatse is a “sacred, intricate process” that demands integrity and respect. He revealed that the Nettey
Family initiated this process in July 2024, ensuring all necessary rites, including the swearing of allegiance to the Gbese Mantse, were meticulously observed.
Furthermore, Mr. Nettey accused Nii Doku III, the Family Head of the Nii Doku We Family, of attempting to undermine the C.B. Nettey Family’s legacy and obstructing the inauguration of their family’s head. He remarked that such actions not only disregard traditional protocols but also have financial and symbolic implications that threaten the respect for established rites. Mr. Nettey concluded by affirming the family’s resolve to do everything legitimate to protect their rightful legacy.