Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has issued a stern warning that he will remove any chiefs within Asanteman who are found to be involved with or tolerating the presence of land guards. This declaration comes in response to growing concerns about the rise of these illegal enforcers in a region historically free from such conflicts.
The Asantehene voiced his dismay at the growing threat posed by land guards in his domain during the inaugural meeting of the Asanteman Council, which took place at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi after the Silver Jubilee celebration. The region’s long-standing peace has significantly changed with the intensification of their actions, which the Ashanti Regional Security Council had identified as a new security threat in June.
During his speech, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II declared that a special committee made up of representatives from different security organizations would look into and deal with the unlawful land guarding that is becoming more and more common in the area. He made it clear that any chief discovered to have any involvement, direct or indirect, would be dethroned immediately through the custom of destooling.
The Asantehene highlighted the principle that land, being immovable, should not be a source of dispute that requires the intervention of land guards. He questioned the rationale behind their use, especially when traditional mechanisms for resolving land disputes have been effective under his reign. “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?” Otumfuo stated, highlighting his commitment to maintaining order and traditional dispute resolution methods.
Furthermore, the Asantehene touched on the broader issue of illegal mining in Asanteman, warning that any chief implicated in facilitating or participating in such activities would also be subject to investigation and potential destoolment. This stance reflects his broader commitment to upholding law and order and protecting the land from exploitation.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council supported the Asantehene’s stance in their recent press statement, acknowledging the historical absence of land guards in the region due to strong leadership and centralized control over land matters. They reiterated the importance of using established channels for resolving land disputes, emphasizing that all stool lands in the Ashanti Region are vested in the Asantehene, with local chiefs serving merely as caretakers. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s forceful strategy is intended to prevent the emergence of land guards and strengthen the traditional governing structures that have long maintained Asanteman peace.
