Kuntu citizens angry at chief

A section of indigenes of Kuntu, a small farming community near Mankessim in the Ekumfi District, are saying they are angry over what they termed the “blatant refusal of their chief to account for royalties collected on lands for commercial activities in the area to the people.”

According to them, the lands in question were not stool lands but for the people, however, the Chief has over the years given out portions to about 20 local and international industries without rendering account to the land owners or the district Assembly.

These grievances were made known to some journalists in the Region through their spokesman, Nana Kwame Ebiya Takyih III, Tufuhene of the Traditional Area, at a meeting attended by family heads and some members of the community at Kuntu.

The chief, Nana Kwesi Brebo III, who is also the Acting President of the Nkusukum Traditional Council, was also accused of failing to use the revenue accruing from salt mining activities in the area for developmental projects.

Nana Kwame Ebiya Takyih expressed worry about the town, which has a population of about 1,000, has only one public toilet, no community centre and bad roads and that when he together with some other community members attempted to put up a community centre, the chief ordered their arrest.

He alleged that since his enstoolment some 30 years ago, Nana Kwesi Brebo’s activities had resulted in division and confusion among individuals and families of the area and called on him to work to ensure peace and accountability.

The Tufuhene said the country should take a second look at how chiefs are installed and suggested that royal families should select about three eligible people from their various gates for the Electoral Commission to conduct an election where the people would elect a chief of their choice.

When contacted Nana Kwesi Brebo said all the allegations were lies and that Nana Kwame Ebiya Tekyi was only tarnishing his hard won reputation.

He said the lands in question were stool lands and not for the community and therefore he had no right to claim accountability from him.