Chiefs under the authority of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II have been warned that they could lose their stools if they are discovered to be involved in land guard-related matters.
He will make his decision after the report from the security agency committee is published.
The Asantehene conveyed great alarm on the growing threat posed by land guards in Asanteman, a phenomenon that is unheard of and intolerable to the Ashanti people.
In an effort to lessen the growing threat posed by land guards, the Ashanti Regional Security Council warned people of Kumasi and the surrounding areas in June to report land dispute instances to the proper authorities. This warning preceded his decision.
A major step toward reestablishing peace and order in the area was taken on Thursday, July 4, during the Asanteman Council meeting that followed the Silver Jubilee celebrations at Manhyia Palace, when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II announced the creation of a security agency committee tasked with looking into and dealing with the illegal activities of land guards.
“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,”said the Asantehene.
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II voiced shock and perplexity over the hiring of land guards by those who obtain land by gift or purchase, raising concerns about the reasoning behind such measures and highlighting the necessity of peaceful and legal resolution of property disputes.
“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,” He inquired.
In order to stop the destructive activity and save the ecosystem, the Asantehene renewed his vow to hold chiefs responsible for illicit mining, threatening to remove them from their positions of leadership and take away their stools.
“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,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II warned.
