Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has cautioned chiefs under his jurisdiction that they risk losing their stools if found complicit in land guard-related issues.
His decision is pending the release of the security agency committee’s report.
The Asantehene expressed deep concern over the escalating menace of land guards in Asanteman, a phenomenon that is unprecedented and unacceptable to the people of the Ashanti region.
His decision comes on the heels of a warning issued by the Ashanti Regional Security Council in June, which alerted residents of Kumasi and surrounding areas to report land dispute cases to the appropriate authorities, in a bid to curb the growing threat of land guards.
On Thursday, July 4, during the Asanteman Council meeting following the Silver Jubilee celebrations at Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II announced the formation of a security agency committee tasked with investigating and addressing the illicit activities of land guards, marking a significant step towards restoring peace and order in the region.
“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,” the Asantehene stated.
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed dismay and confusion as to why individuals who acquire land through purchase or gift resort to hiring land guards, questioning the rationale behind such actions and emphasising the need for peaceful and lawful resolution of land 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 asked.
The Asantehene reaffirmed his commitment to hold accountable any chief involved in illegal mining, stating that such individuals will be stripped of their stools and removed from their positions of authority, to curb the harmful practice and protect the environment.
“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.
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