The Essumeja Traditional Council has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to probe the involvement of the Bekwai Police administration in a land dispute between the Traditional Council and the chief and people of Asanso near Bekwai.
The Traditional Council intends to set up a mango processing factory at Adwama in the periphery of the Asantemanso forest.
However, the chief of Asanso, Nana Karikari Apau, claims the land belongs to his stool and has accordingly invoked Otumfuo’s Great Oath (Ntamkese) to buttress his claim.
On April 4, 2024 while a hired bulldozer was preparing the land for the project, one Osei Yaw, on the alleged instance of the Asanso chief, caused the arrest of the Bulldozer operator.
The policeman, who accompanied Osei Yaw, threatened to shoot and kill the operator if he dared move the bulldozer from the site to safety and escorted him to the Bekwai police station.
Before he could be granted bail, some youth of Asanso had set the bulldozer ablaze.
In view of the development, the Essumeja Traditional Council has accused the police of complicity in the destruction of the bulldozer.
Addressing a press conference at Essumeja last Friday, the Krontihene of Essumeja, Nana Ntim Banahene and Nana Akuoko Kwarteng, the Nkosuohene of Essumeja, as well as the entire membership of the House, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to call his men to order, to avoid a bloody clash.
According to the chiefs, the matter borders on chieftaincy and, therefore, not prudent for the police to take sides in land disputes.
They indicated that steps are being taken to address the issue of ‘Ntamkese’ at the appropriate quarters and that Otumfuo was the best arbiter in such matters, especially when it involves a paramount chief (Essumeja) and a divisional chief (Asanso).
They condemned the Asanso chief for resorting to brutalities of the police to cause destruction to property while the case is pending.
The Essumeja chiefs also called on the IGP to cause proper investigation into the matter and sanction the police officer who prevented the bulldozer operator from ensuring the safety of the equipment on his arrest.
They alleged that Osei Yaw is a suspect and should be held responsible for destruction of the bulldozer and not made to walk free.
Meanwhile, Nananom of the Essumeja Traditional Council have advised the youth of Essumeja to remain calm and let peace prevail and not to retaliate the violent behaviour of the chief and youth of Asanso, who claim Essumeja Council has trespassed into the land of Asanso at the border community of Adwama.
