An Open Letter To Manhyia Palace

AN OPEN LETTER TO MANHYIA PALACE in Kumasi, Ghana

Dear Nananom, Good Asante brothers and sisters and Ghanaians in Toronto,

It is now time for Concerned Asantes and the Ghanaians in Toronto (CAGT) to speak out on the purported election of Mr. Bandoh also known as KOROSA as the next Asantefuohene of Toronto, Canada.

We, the concerned Asantes and the Ghanaians in Toronto, have followed the unfortunate developments that have sown a seed of acrimony and disgrace in the great Asante chieftaincy organization and other affairs in Toronto since May 2005, with much disturbance and sorrow.

It has come to light that some unscrupulous Asantes and members of the Asanteman Association of Toronto (AAT) who are not in good standing in the Association together with some non-members have seized the Association, abrogated its constitution, toppled the incumbent Asantefuohene of Toronto. Nana Asare Bediako and his executive members. In their place, Mr. Bandoh (Korosa) and his colleagues have arrogated to themselves chieftaincy titles in the association. This illegal and troubling development in the AAT is very worrisome to many good Asantes and Ghanaians in Toronto. In view of the above development, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, the Paramount Chief of Tepa Traditional Area and the Otumfuo's designated custodian of Asante chieftaincy affairs in North America, directed Asanteman Council of North America (ACONA) to resolve the matter.

It has become very patent that ACONA could not resolve the matter. It has also become very apparent that Mr Bandoh Korosa should clear himself that he was a member in good standing at AAT in May 2005, and from allegations in Toronto that he was engaged in: (a) welfare fraud; (b) insurance fraud; and (c) counterfeiting with criminal syndicate.

Also at the moment, Mr. Bandoh has been criminally charged before the Superior Court of Justice at 2201 on Finch Ave., west of Toronto in Ontario, M9M 2Y9 at courtroom 201. The case is docketed as: Regina (Crown) Vs Bandoh, Nana (Korosa) and Victoria Bandoh for the following charges:

(i) Assault – C.C. 266

(ii) Threatening Death – C.C. 261 (1)(1)(a).

This case is scheduled for trail at courtroom 201 on December 15th , 2006 at 10am.

We are deeply concerned and very much disturbed about this development and the criminal background of Mr. Bandoh and therefore submit humbly and very seriously that the installation of Mr. Bandoh as Asantefuohene of Toronto is something that should not be considered at all. The criminal case against Mr. Bandoh should be heard first before the proposed swearing in of the Asantefuohene of Toronto in October 2006 is considered. If he is found guilty at the court hearing on December 15 th, 2006, it will be a big disgrace to the Ghanaian community in Toronto, Manhyia Palace and the Asanteman as a whole. It should be of serious concern to note that in Asante culture, any person charged with criminal offense is not allowed to assume any chieftaincy position. Please do not drag Asanteman's name in the mud.

Mr. Bandoh (Korosa) Therefore should not be allowed to tarnish the image and the dignity of Asanteman in particular and the respected members of the Ghanaian community in Toronto and other places in general.

Sincerely,

Chairman Concerned Asantes of Toronto, Canada.