The High Court of Justice sitting at Mankessim has declared that Mr. Kojo Ankomah Dickson is not the legitimate Ebusuapanyin (Head) of the Paakesedo Nsona Royal Family of Mankessim.
The ruling, delivered by His Lordship Justice Jonathan Avogo, PhD, followed a writ of summons filed on March 5, 2026, by the leadership of the Paakesedo Nsona Royal Family challenging Mr. Dickson’s claim to the family’s headship.
The plaintiffs in the case were Nana Araba Otua II, Obaahemaa of the Mankessim Traditional Area and Obaapanyin of the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family; Nana Akyea Forson, Acting Ebusuapanyin of the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family; Amin Iddrisu, Principal Elder of the family; and Efua Atta, Principal Elder and Obaapanyin of Kormantse.
Court’s Declarations
In its judgment, the court granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, including:
- A declaration that Mr. Kojo Ankomah Dickson is not the legitimate Ebusuapanyin of the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family of Mankessim.
- A declaration that all transactions undertaken by him after his removal as interim Ebusuapanyin are null and void.
- A perpetual injunction restraining him from proceeding with any self-ordination ceremony or any other act intended to present himself as the legitimate Ebusuapanyin.
- A further injunction preventing him from parading himself as the Ebusuapanyin of the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family or engaging in any transactions involving family lands.
Background to the Case
According to the court, the central issue was whether Mr. Dickson had been lawfully nominated and appointed as the head of the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family under customary law.
The plaintiffs argued that following the death of the substantive Ebusuapanyin, Kwame Egyir Baiden, Mr. Dickson was appointed only in an interim capacity to oversee the affairs of the family until a substantive head was properly selected.
During cross-examination, counsel for the plaintiffs questioned Mr. Dickson about the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
When asked whether members of the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family had opposed his nomination by Nana Araba Otua II but she insisted he remained the interim head, Mr. Dickson answered in the affirmative.
The court held that this admission supported the plaintiffs’ case that Mr. Dickson had never been appointed as the substantive Ebusuapanyin but merely served in an interim role following the death of the previous family head.
Justice Jonathan Avogo therefore agreed with the plaintiffs’ submission that any purported confirmation of Mr. Dickson as family head in July 2022 could not lawfully restore his status after he had been removed, unless a fresh nomination and appointment were conducted in accordance with customary law.
Court Relies on Established Customary Law
In reaching its decision, the court relied on the landmark case Lartey v. Mensah and Dedei & Others (1958) 3 W.A.L.R. 410, which established that the appointment of a family head must be made at a properly convened family meeting involving all principal elders entitled to participate.
The judgment reaffirmed that failure to notify all eligible elders of such a meeting renders any appointment invalid unless the absent elders subsequently ratify the decision.
Family Calls for Calm
Following the judgment, the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family of Mankessim has called on its members and the general public to remain calm and respect the decision of the court.
The family further urged the public to disregard any claims portraying Mr. Kojo Ankomah Dickson as the legitimate Ebusuapanyin of the Paakesedo Royal Nsona Family, insisting that such representations are contrary to the High Court’s ruling.
