The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has lamented the bellicosity with which some traditional chiefs in Kumasi are forcibly seizing estates from their owners because leases have expired with impunity.
Otumfuo cautioned Kumasi traditional chiefs to cease using their position of power to defraud Kumasi citizens while speaking to the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) during a meeting in the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
"I'm being falsely blamed for your nefarious operations in the area. You guys are bringing me low, so please be careful with what you do, he admonished.
The Asante king delivered this warning on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Manhyia Palace when he returned to land that a couple had purchased in 1942 but that Amakomhene Nana Adu Mensah Asare had forcibly taken from them and sold to the Church of Ghana.
The furious Asantehene, speaking through his linguist Baffour Kentenkrankyi, denounced Amakomhene and his sub-Chief Abontenghene and warned his Abontenghene, who has been questioning his authority on land issues, to take care lest he is called to the palace to explain his authority over lands issues in their traditional area.
"Even if the lease has expired, there is clear legislation for lease renewal, which is why when you climbed to the Amakom stool the old woman had been residing there since 1942. Before you, there was Amakomhene. As a result, only you are intelligent enough to expel the elderly woman. Don't you worry about this elderly woman you treated so poorly? What money are you after, and why are you breaking conventions?
Because Amakomhene is my "Obrempong," he said, "directly my name will be tied to the criminality. This elderly woman was going to die in tears if this situation had not been brought to my notice. Since I let you take the Asante oath in front of me, you have land. That is why you are acting illegally, correct?
Further explaining, Otumfuo said, "You don't suddenly evict individuals from their land as soon as you learn their lease has ended; there are clear legal and customary mechanisms for reinstating lapsed leases. You split the aforementioned land into three equal halves; Asantehene receives one, the lady gets one, and Amakom stool receives one as well. Why must you take everything without asking?
where did the bullying come from? As I don't know your "Abontensohene" and haven't made him a stool, I won't accept any explanations for why I haven't given him any land. What source is this nonsense? Asantehene erupted in rage.
Otumfuo He also yelled at Nana Apagyahene, and Nana Owusu Afriyie IV, calling him "Pagyaso moamoaso" (if you can't perform the work for the land, please tell me). Why must you seek retribution from me while you are there? You are responsible for it since there are clear regulations that prohibit any chief from claiming any land or property from its owner after the lease expires. When the woman approached you, you informed her that Nana Amakomhene had declined the official arrangement.
What are you doing there, since you also neglected to notify me? You are acting independently. Amakomhene is acting independently as well. Who can I trust right now?
Otumfuo revealed he is losing faith in Kumasi's traditional chiefs because of the way they are handling business without his direct involvement while speaking to them about leasing difficulties.
"You are causing me to lose faith in you all... Over the past 24 years, I have been discussing leasing difficulties with you, but you never pay attention. Your illicit behavior is a shame to the Asantehene and the Chieftaincy as a whole.
In his ultimate decision, Otumfuo instructed Nana Apagyahene to send surveyors to the property and split it into three equal pieces, one of which should be handed to Amakomhene.
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