Kumasi, 27 Sept. 2006 (Ghanaian Times) -- The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has condemned attempts by some people to link him with the cocaine scandal.

He has therefore, cautioned journalists, politicians and social commentators to desist from hiding behind democracy and the freedom of speech to persistently use the airwaves to question why the Justice Georgina Wood Committee did not invite him over the issue.

The Asantehene made the comments at a meeting with the Asanteman Council at Manhyia here on Monday, after a 10-day visit to Libya.

He questioned the basis for people trying to drag him into a crime for which he maintained innocence. "What country are we building where there is no respect for authority and the elderly?" he asked. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said that for some time now, he had been patiently taking the vilification but "the time has come for me to bite if such comments on radio and television continue."

He described the situation as an anti-Ashanti hate campaign which must be resisted.

He questioned the silence of the various paramount chiefs and other people in his jurisdiction over the adverse comments being made against Manhyia, especially in connection with the cocaine scandal.

He deplored the tribalistic tendencies taking over the Ghanaian society, with Ashantis as the main target. Making reference to past comments that an Ashanti could never become a President in Ghana, the Asantehene urged his people to shun politicians who are bent on sowing seeds of confusion in Asanteman, regardless of their political affiliation.

of confusion in Asanteman, regardless of their political affiliation.

He told the chiefs that he is monitoring them and if it is discovered that any of them is in league with politicians to bring the name of Manhyia into disrepute, that chief would have himself to blame.

Otumfuo briefed the council on his trip to Libya, announcing that Libya had decided to support Ghana to go into the mass cultivation of yellow maize for export. He advised the chiefs to make lands available so that Ashanti Region could take full advantage of the project to bring employment to the youth.