The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a stern warning, declaring his readiness to destool any chief found harboring or condoning the illegal activities of land guards within their jurisdictions.

The Asantehene’s declaration came during the first Asanteman Council meeting following the culmination of the Silver Jubilee celebrations at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Addressing the gathering, Otumfuo highlighted the alarming emergence of land guards in Asanteman, a phenomenon previously uncommon in the region.

"A practice that didn’t have any place in Asanteman has started gaining roots - Land guards," Otumfuo remarked, expressing his deep concern over the growing presence of these illegal operatives involved in land disputes. He disclosed that a committee comprising security agencies has been established to investigate and root out this unlawful practice.

The Asantehene minced no words in his threat, stating, "The police and the military will inform me about the locations where these practices are occurring. Any chief implicated in the report will face destoolment. Let us await the findings of the committee."

Emphasizing the sanctity of land and the traditional methods for resolving disputes, Otumfuo questioned the necessity for resorting to land guards. "Lands do not move and cannot be taken anywhere. When I allocated land to you, I did not authorize the use of land guards," he affirmed, underscoring the traditional principles guiding land ownership and dispute resolution in Asanteman.

In addition to addressing the menace of land guards, Otumfuo also touched on the issue of illegal mining within Asanteman, pointing out that some traditional leaders are complicit in these illicit activities. He pledged to investigate any chief implicated in reports of illegal mining and vowed swift destoolment for those found guilty.

The Asanteman Council, comprising traditional leaders and stakeholders, has expressed support for Otumfuo’s measures to safeguard the region against these emerging security threats.

The Ashanti Regional Security Council has previously acknowledged the historical absence of land guards in the region due to effective stewardship of stool lands vested in Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his chiefs.

They reiterated the importance of utilizing accepted channels for resolving land disputes and called upon all parties involved to adhere to established protocols.