The Kodzoga Stool and its Kingmakers have announced that the title of the Divisional Queenmother of Gadza remains unchanged and have formally prohibited the use of the title “Mama Kodzogasi II” by any individual or group.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the traditional authorities said the official title of the Divisional Queenmother of Gadza (Gadza Nyonufia), who also serves as the Right-Hand Queen to Mama Yaadze Lokkosi, remains the same.
According to the statement, the title associated with the Kodzoga Stool — the Divisional Stool of Gadza — is “Mama Kodzogasi”.
The announcement follows a series of customary ceremonies held in the Gadza Traditional Area over the past two days.
The Kodzoga Stool said that on 21 June, an oath reaffirming the name and title of the Queenmother of Gadza was sworn between the Adzalokko Stool and the Kodzoga Stool at Dzoanti. The ceremony was led by Togbui Adzalokko VII and Mama Yaadze Lokkosi IV and was witnessed by chiefs, queenmothers and elders from Gbodome.
A day later, the statement said, Kingmakers and the Chief Priest of the Kodzoga Stool performed customary rites acknowledging and accepting what it described as the denunciation of the Kodzoga Stool and Family by Madam Joan Joyce Osai.
“The rites performed on these occasions further prohibit any person or group of persons from using the title ‘Mama Kodzogasi II’ in any private, public, ceremonial, customary, or official capacity,” the statement said.
The traditional authorities also announced plans to install a new queenmother.
“The Kodzoga Stool will, in due course, announce arrangements for the outdooring of its new Queenmother,” the statement added.
The Kodzoga Stool and its Kingmakers called on individuals, institutions and traditional authorities to respect the customs and traditions governing the Gadza Traditional Area.
No immediate response was available from Madam Joan Joyce Osai or any other parties who may be affected by the declaration.
Full Statement
The Kodzoga Stool and its Kingmakers stated:
“The official title of the Divisional Queenmother of Gadza (Gadza Nyonufia), who also serves as the Right-Hand Queen to Mama Yaadze Lokkosi, remains unchanged.
The title of the Divisional Queenmother of Gadza, who is also the Queenmother associated with the Kodzoga Stool—the Divisional Stool of Gadza—is Mama Kodzogasi.
The rites performed on these occasions further prohibit any person or group of persons from using the title ‘Mama Kodzogasi II’ in any private, public, ceremonial, customary, or official capacity.
The Kodzoga Stool will, in due course, announce arrangements for the outdooring of its new Queenmother.”
