Sekondi (Western Region), 3rd May 2 ?99 -

Some members of the Sefwi-Anhwiaso Traditional Council in the Western Region have dissociated themselves from a petition calling for the removal of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Asante-Mensah.

They include Nana Ago Botwe 11, Queenmother of the Traditional Area, Nana Yaw Gyaim, Awasohene and Akwamuhene of the area, Nana Kwaku Gyedu 11, Mmamahene, Nana Ngoa Anyima Kodom 11, Bibianihene and Krontihene of the area and Nana Kofi Ankoanna 11, Abusuapanin of the Omanhene.

In a statement, they expressed their confidence in Mr Asante-Mensah and said the hardwork, leadership qualities, integrity and transparency of the DCE are exceptional.

The statement copied to President J. J. Rawlings and the Western Regional Minister claimed that the Council has not met to take any decision for the removal of the DCE.

They explained that since August 4, 1997, when destoolment charges were brought against the Omanhene, Nana Yaw Gyebi the second, at the Judicial Committee of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, the Council has not met.

The Chiefs maintained that people handpicked by the Omanhene signed the alleged petition.

They dismissed the accusations against the DCE and said that they should be ignored.

The statement denounced what they said was an attempt by the Omanhene and his small band of supporters to drag the Council into partisan politics.

On the issue of royalties raised in the petition, the Chiefs explained that this does not fall within the jurisdiction of the District Assembly saying the

Administrator of Stool Lands and the Minerals Commission pays royalties.

They are only effected through the assemblies, they said, adding that, as recent as January 25, this year, the Traditional Council was paid 5,715,753.06 cedis as royalty on the operations of the Ashanti Goldfields Bibiani Limited.

It may be recalled that in late April this year, the Sefwi-Anhwiaso Traditional Council issued a petition calling for the removal of Mr Asante-Mensah, citing disrespect among other charges.

GRi?/