The fate of all chiefs who will be implicated by the report of a committee of security agencies set up by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to probe the canker of land guard activities within Asanteman will be known next week.
During the Kumasi Traditional Council meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2024, His Majesty noted that the report was yet to be presented to him by the Committee.
He however assured that it will be reviewed on the next sitting, which is Monday, August 19, 2024.
“During our last meeting, I told you I had sanctioned an investigative body to look into allegations and reports of land guard activities within the jurisdiction of some chiefs. I am waiting for the report, and I will summon all chiefs who will be found culpable here to explain why they are engaging in the forbidden act.”
The meeting was the first since Otumfuo returned from a trip to the United Kingdom (UK), where he delivered a lecture at the British Museum on August 6, 2024.
Background
It may be recalled that the Asantehene vowed to destool all chiefs within whose jurisdictions the abominable land guard practices are fast emerging during a meeting with the members of the Asanteman Council on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at the Manhyia Palace- their first meeting after the climax of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the King.
He said he has set up a committee made up of security agencies to investigate the illegal practice gaining roots in the Ashanti Region.
Otumfuo stated that chiefs who will be implicated by the report will not be spared from destoolment.
“A practice that didn’t have any place in Asanteman has started gaining roots- Land guards. The police and the military will tell me where the practices are taking place and all those who will be implicated will lose their stools. Let’s wait for the report to come out.”
He furthered, “Lands do not move, and they cannot be taken anywhere. In case of any dispute, there are modalities to settle it. When I gave the land to you, I didn’t add any land guards why should you resort to them.”
Additionally, he tackled issues of illegal mining in other parts of Asanteman as he stated that Nananom have a hand in it.
“I will investigate any chief who gets implicated in any illegal mining report that comes before me henceforth and destool you. We have some of those cases pending before us which must be fast-tracked.”
The Ashanti Regional Security Council in a press statement dated June 20, 2024, expressed concerns about a surge in the illegal operations of land guards in the region.
The Council acknowledged the time-tested modalities in the region that have kept it devoid of land guards over the years and urged persons with land disputes to use the accepted channels.
“Over the years, the Ashanti Region has been fortunate because all stool lands are vested in His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, with his chiefs as caretakers. There is therefore every opportunity in instances of land controversies and disputes, to appeal to His Majesty for the resolution of the disputes.
Source: Manhyia Palace
