Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has compared Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s latest wave of destooling to the political life and accomplishments of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led administration.
Five subchiefs were deposed by the Asantehene in 2023 alone, due to their disobedience and engagement in illicit activities such as the selling of lands and galamsey.
For Mr. Cudjoe, the Asantehene’s actions in imposing discipline have surpassed those of President Akufo-Addo, whose appointees have wrecked the economy while maintaining their jobs.
“Asantehene is reshuffling. Destools 5 sub-chiefs in just 4 months. More in the pipelìne. This record is unnmatched by Nana, who seven years on is happy with his men, even though they helped him run the economy into a ravine.”
Franklin Cudjoe
Abuontemhene of the Kumasi Traditional Council, Nana Kwaku Duah III, was the most recent subchief of Otumfuo to be expelled for illegitimately selling territories under his control. The Kumasi Traditional Council assembled on Monday, August 21, at the Menhyia Palace to discuss the matter when the announcement was made. Accusations made by other subchiefs led to the decision to remove Nana Kwaku Duah III from his role as divisional chief.
The subchiefs charged him with disobeying Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s orders as well as selling lands, including one that was under investigation and had received a trespassing notice from Otumfuo. In addition, they made a number of accusations, including one that he exploited Otumfuo’s name to obtain authorization for his actions on the disputed property despite the ongoing investigation, while charging him with entering other people’s property without permission and arranging land deals.
However, the specific allegation that Nana Kwaku Duah III used Otumfuo’s name as leverage for his conduct was refuted in his response to the accusations. He admitted his presence on the farm, but he argued that he had given others authorization to work there.
Akufo-Addo Urged To Emulate Asantehene
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has advised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to follow the example of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and fire government employees who are found guilty of indulging in illicit mining activities.
Otumfuo has demonstrated leadership, which the Coalition chairman, Ing Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, said the President should also adopt in his administration.
“This is what we expect of leadership and I completely agree with Otumfuo that if you are a chief, and you have galamsey happening in your community, you are either complicit and are deeply involved in it or you are incompetent and in both cases, you are not worthy of being the chief or leader of the people. And I think this is the Asantehene walking the talk and so, it is the same action that we require of the President.”
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey
The Aduamoa chief was also destooled a little over a week ago, as a result of his involvement in unauthorized numerous land deals and other wrongdoing.
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