The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a stern warning that he will destool any chief in Asanteman who tolerates the presence of land guards within their jurisdiction.
This follows concerns the Ashanti Regional Security Council raised in June about the rising menace of land guards, which was previously uncommon in the region.
The Council acknowledged that the time-tested modalities in the Region that have kept it devoid of land guards over the years was gradually giving way as land disputes was now entertaining the menace of land guards.
Speaking at the first Asanteman Council meeting after the Silver Jubilee celebration at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday (4 July), Otumfuo Osei Tutu II revealed that a security agency committee has been established to investigate the illegal activities of land guards in Asanteman.
He stressed that any chief found complicit in these activities would face 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”, Otumfuo said.
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, the Asantehene questioned.
Additionally, he touched on 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, he added.
