Otumfuo restrains Yabihene from installing caretaker chiefs outside his jurisdiction

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene and Overlord of the Asante Kingdom, has ordered Nana Kontomere Kwame Frimpong II, Yabihene, to take immediate steps to annul all installation of caretaker chiefs (Adikrofo) in areas currently under dispute.

By Otumfuo’s directive, all individuals appointed by Yabihene as traditional Caretakers in the disputed areas must step down.

The Yabi chief cannot enstool any Caretaker until the issues at stake are resolved by a committee appointed by the Ashanti King.

The Asantehene gave the directive at a sitting of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) recently, following complaints lodged by ten traditional leaders.

The complainants are Asafohene, Twediehene, Didahene, OtumfuoBuabasa, Mpataasiehene, AtwimaFoasehene, Apemanimhene, Toasehene, AtwimaKwanwomahene, Trabuomhene and Adomanyahene.

The aggrieved chiefs accused Yabihene of illegally taking over their lands and appointing caretaker chiefs (Dikro) in those areas, without the approval of the Kumasi Traditional Council or the affected stools.

Reacting to the claims by the complainants, Nana Kontomere Kwame, denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the lands in question belong to him, as part of Yaw Nkrumah lands and that installation of caretaker chiefs were lawful and within his rights.

But Otumfuo, on hearing both sides, ruled that Yabihene must revoke all such appointments immediately, while the case is pending and that all such appointments must be annulled with immediate effect.

The Asantehene also stressed that until the dispute is fully settled, no chief should assume control over lands that are under contention.

To ensure a fair and transparent resolution, Otumfuo established three committees, grouping the plaintiffs into four, with Yabihene included in each group.

These committees will thoroughly investigate the claims and determine the rightful ownership of the lands in question.

The Kumasi Traditional Council is, therefore, to oversee the settlement of these disputes, with the appointed committees conducting investigations to establish the legitimacy of the competing claims towards determining the final resolution of the long-standing land and chieftaincy dispute in the area.

The post Otumfuo restrains Yabihene from installing caretaker chiefs outside his jurisdiction appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story