The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed grave concern about the way and manner some of his traditional leaders have involved themselves in double sale of lands and others forcefully snatching lands from owners over expired lease with impunity.
He has, therefore, warned Kumasi traditional leaders to stop cheating residents with their authority over lands or face his wrath.
According to the Asantehene, “I’m being accused wrongly for your unlawful activities in the Region, you people are disgracing me, you all need to be careful with the things you are doing.
“You are making me lose my trust among you all…, your illegal activities are disgrace to the respected Chieftaincy institution and me, as the Asantehene,’’ he stated.
The Asantehene made these comments when two prominent chiefs, Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, and Amakomhene, Nana Adu Mensah Asare, appeared before the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) over double sale of land and snatching of lands over expired lease, respectively.
While the Bantamehene appeared on February 20, 2023, the Amakomhene took his turn on February 23.
The Bantamahene was said to have sold a land to one Mr Amponsah and same land to a church, creating confusion between the two.
On his part, the Amakomhene had snatched a land from a couple who occupied it from 1942, and sold it to the church of Pentecost over an expired lease.
After resolving the land dispute between Bantamahene and the parties involved, the Asantehene directed Bantamahene to release all documents on the land to Mr Amponsah, whom he first sold the land to, and again directed him to return the money he took from the church within 14 days, as he promised before the KTC.
He further instructed Bantamahene to ensure that by 10am on February 21, 2023, all documentation on the land was released to Mr Amponsah.
Otumfuo, who did not mince words with Bantamahene, said, “Baffour, with the stature of the stool you occupy, if such cases come before me, it means you are disgracing me”.
He told him to eschew such behaviours or else “you will supervise your own destoolment; tomorrow I will not forget to dismiss you. Bantamahene don’t deserve this prosecution. You are lowering the stature of the Bantama stool”.
On the expired lease, the Asantehene directed Nana Apagyahene to send surveyors to the land and divide the said land into three- one should be given to Amakomhene, Nana Adu Mensah Asare, the remaining two, including his (Asantehene), should be given back to the woman for peace to prevail.
He used the occasion to explain that “there are clear legal and traditional arrangements for restoring expired leases; you don’t just eject people from their property immediately you hear their lease has expired. You divide the said land into three, one is given to Asantehene, the woman takes one and Amakom stool also takes one. Why must you forcefully take all, where from the intimidation?” Asantehene fumed.
He told the Amakomhene to regard traditional rules on lease management.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
