Media Foundations for West Africa’s Fourth Estate Ghana has spotted a letter whose content suggests that the Government of Ghana has transferred some 400 acres of land in Kumasi to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
In the said letter, which was initialed by the Chief Director for the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, Emelia Ayebeng Botchway, on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, referred to Executive Instrument 432 of 2021 by the Government in respect of the Redevelopment of Sector 18 of Kumasi, which was published in the Ghana Gazette on December 31st, 2021.
On the back of this instrument, the government has “revested and released a portion of the state land at the Ridge Residential Area in Kumasi to the Asantehene on behalf of and in trust for subjects of the Golden Stool,” the letter stated.
Description of the Lands
According to the letter, “the released portion, with an area of 409.24 acres, spans from the North-Western Section of the Military Barracks near Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.” The site is along the Bekwai Road from its Western Boundary to the Santasi Round About, with the Southern By-Pass as its Southern Boundary. The land also lies towards Dakwodwom towards the KCC/State Experimental School, along the Danyame Stream to the north, with the Cedar Road as the eastern boundary. “
Asantehene To Be Paid Ground Rent
The letter added that, “the revested land contains both privately-owned properties to be maintained and state bungalows to be relocated to the area retained by the government.” All leaseholders of private and public residential and other properties in the revested area must also grant the Asantehene tenancy.This means annual ground rent has to be paid to the Golden Stool by all lessees with the coming into force of the Executive, Instrument (E.1.) 432, with the Asantehene possessing the reversionary interest. “
Notification to Public Institutions on Change of Status of the Lands
The letter concluded by directing “all Heads of Public Institutions are to take note of the change in status of the land at Ridge Residential Area in Kumasi and to refrain from constructing any new building, redeveloping any official bungalow, or undertaking any elaborate maintenance work on the properties within the enclave.”
The Lands Ministry and the Office of the Asantehene are yet to formally speak to these revelations.
Issues of land requisitions have dominated public space again following the alleged will of land by the late former General Secretary of the NPP and Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, widely known as Sir John.
