Asantehene vows to destool chiefs involved in illegal mining, using land guards

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has issued a stern warning to chiefs involved in unlawful activities such as land guards and illegal mining.

Speaking at the first Asanteman Council meeting following the Silver Jubilee celebrations at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the Asantehene emphasized his commitment to maintaining order and integrity within his jurisdiction, as reported by graphic.com.gh.

The Asantehene expressed deep concern over the recent surge in land guard operations, which were previously uncommon in Asanteman.

"A practice that didn’t have any place in Asanteman has started gaining roots – Land guards," he remarked.

To address this pressing issue, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II announced the formation of a committee comprising security agencies tasked with investigating the illegal activities of land guards.

He made it clear that any chief implicated in the report would face destoolment, a severe measure within traditional leadership.

"Lands do not move and they cannot be taken anywhere," the Asantehene asserted, questioning the need for such illegal practices in land disputes.

He reaffirmed that established modalities exist for resolving land disputes under his authority, emphasizing that resorting to land guards is unacceptable.

Furthermore, the Asantehene addressed concerns about illegal mining activities in the region, linking the involvement of local chiefs to these illicit operations.

He vowed to investigate any chief implicated in illegal mining activities and to take decisive action, including destoolment.

Chiefs working with land guards will be destooled! - Asantehene cautions.#opemsuoradio pic.twitter.com/YweCsj8xSg

— Opemsuo Radio (@OpemsuoRadio) July 5, 2024

Galamsey Chiefs risk losing their stools if named in the report - Otumfuo#opemsuoradio pic.twitter.com/mBt3XSVbeC

— Opemsuo Radio (@OpemsuoRadio) July 5, 2024