Concerned citizens of kumawu react to claims by counterparts in diaspora

The attention of the good people of Kumawuman has been drawn to speculations currently doing the rounds regarding the purported sale of huge parcels of Kumawu Stool lands by a Norwegian company, ASPSD.

Our investigations at the Kumawu Traditional Council (KTC) reveal no records of any such letter about the release of 460,000 hectares (1,136,000 acres) of the Kumawu Stool lands.

Fact is, the KTC is not aware neither is it (KTC) privy to any such proposals and negotiations regarding the sale of Kumawu Stool Lands by a Norwegian company.

The onus therefore lies with the so-called Kumawuman Citizens Living Abroad (KCLA) to furnish the KTC and the general public with details of the said proposal for the land sales.

The KTC, which is working for the general development of Kumawuman, would not hesitate to study any available proposals the APSD is claimed to have made and passionately discuss the benefits before it takes a position.

Until such steps are taken to adequately inform the KTC, Nananom cannot engage in any fruitful negotiations.

Let it be said that the KTC has established a Customary Lands Secretariat and gone further to enstool a Dumakwaehene to manage and control all Kumawu Stool Lands. It should be pointed out that the KTC members are also made up of technical experts including international economics, land economists and banking accountants who are well versed in their professions and can negotiate very well for Kumawuman should any investor show interest in the Kumawu Stool Lands. The focus of the Customary Lands Secretariat is to identify all Kumawu Stool Lands and take proper custody of same.

In future the KCLA should not attempt to carry the owl, the symbol of intelligence in Greece, to the Greeks.

Our research has currently revealed that some few individuals have unlawfully acquired portions of the Kumawu Stool Lands when the Kumawu Stool was vacant and that the KTC is making moves to retrieve those lands.

We are aware that over 700 acres of land near Abrofrem at Drobonso, another 700 acres of land at Naaman near Asokore Effiduase as well as 1,113.5 acres near Kama Akura near Drobonso have been cultivated into Teak plantations with support from WOB Foundation, an NGO from Hamburg in Germany under a Lumber and Sawn logs project.

There is also a five square mile (3,100 acre) parcel of Land at Drobonso said to have been acquired by an individual without recourse to KTC.

Also a sizeable portion of land is being occupied by about 1,000 Cattle near Drobonso without any proper acquisition.

Let it be mentioned also that one Adolf Rockson, a native of Kumawu and resident in the USA and by extension an automatic member of the KCLA has also acquired about 1,500 acres of Kumawu Stool lands without proper documentation at the time no one seemed to be in charge.

It must be stated that the KTC has no hands whatsoever in releasing lands for the illegal acquisition of such lands.

We, the concerned citizens of Kumawuman are grateful for the information and would therefore count on the services of the so-called knowledgeable KCLA to furnish the KTC with the relevant information.

If the KCLA is serious to assist the KTC then they should start looking for these few individuals who would want to use their riches to exploit the resources of Kumawuman at the expense of the development of Kumawuman in general. Adolf Rockson is one of such people and he must account for every acquisition of land to the KTC.

We count on the services of KCLA to enable the KTC act accordingly and promptly to help improve the lot of the people.