General News of Tuesday, 24 July 2001

Source: GNA

Asantehene Orders Return of Land

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has asked the Ghana Railway Corporation in Kumasi to return the land allocated them. He said the land was leased and that does not therefore make it the corporation's property.

The king's action was informed by the corporation's selling off land surrounding the station to developers.

It will be recalled that last month the 18 branch of the Kejetia Traders Association went on a peaceful demonstration to demand the pulling down of structures congesting the area. A petition was later sent to the KMA.

The Otumfuo was speaking to members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly led by the Metro-Mayor, Mr. Maxwell Jummah, when they paid a courtesy call on him to welcome him back from his trip to the United States and Scotland.

He cautioned those who go rushing to tell tales to the president. Reports reaching the palace indicate that as early as 5 am on a particular day an Assemblyman called the president to complain about the Metro-Mayor.

Otumfuo said assembly matters should be openly discussed and solved at that level.