By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Olu of Warri Kingdom in Nigeria, Ogiame Atuwatse III, together with Her Majesty Ivie Atuwatse III, has paid a state visit to the Ga State in Accra, where they were officially received by the Office of the Ga Mantse.
The visit marks the Olu’s first official engagement with the Ga State, during which he paid homage to the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, in a ceremony that underscored the importance of strengthening traditional diplomacy and cultural ties between Ghana and Nigeria.
The engagement follows an earlier high-level interaction in March 2026, when the Ga Mantse met and held discussions with the Olu of Warri in London in the company of King Charles III. That meeting laid the groundwork for renewed collaboration and cultural exchange between the two traditional authorities.
The current visit to the Fɛo Eyɛo Palace in Accra is therefore aimed at deepening bilateral relations between the two traditional states, building on shared values, mutual respect and longstanding historical connections.
The visit also carries deep historical significance. The Ga people of Ghana are widely believed to have migrated from regions in present-day Nigeria, including areas around Benin and the Niger Delta, before settling along the coast of Accra centuries ago. This shared ancestry continues to be reflected in language, customs, chieftaincy institutions and spiritual practices, creating a cultural bridge between the Ga State and the Warri Kingdom.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II emphasised the need to strengthen inter-regional traditional ties through cultural exchange, noting that such engagements are vital for preserving identity while promoting unity and development across Africa.
His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III reiterated the importance of collaboration among traditional leaders in advancing peace, trade and youth development within the sub-region.
As part of his itinerary, the Olu of Warri is expected to continue his engagements in Ghana with a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Friday, April 24, 2026.
The visit is being widely regarded as a symbolic reconnection of shared heritage and a strategic effort to promote cultural diplomacy, unity and cooperation among traditional institutions in West Africa.
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Source:
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