Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, Okyenhene, said he would elevate some stools in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area to paramount status by the last Akwasidae celebration next year.

He said the exercise was long overdue, adding that discussions on the matter begun during the reign of his predecessors, Nana Ofori Atta III and Osagyefo KuntunkununkuII.

A statement from the office of the Okyenhene said Osagyefo Amoatia made this known at the just ended third session of the Okyeman Council. The Okyenhene said he had established a constitutional commission to draft a new legal document for Okyeman that would take into account the expected elevations.

He introduced Nana Asante Bediatuo Apagyahene of Akem Abuakwa as well as a constitutional expert and Dr Kwame Gyan, a Lecturer at the Law Faculty, University of Ghana, Legon, as members of the commission, who were expected to present initial drafts to the commission for review.

The statement said a final draft, which should be ready by April 2003, would be forwarded to the Okyeman Council for review. Osagyefo Amoatia stated that he would elevate some stools to divisional status before the end of this year.

He said the step would be a prelude to the elevation of stools to paramount status, adding that some of occupants of the stools have distinguished themselves in service to the Ofori Panin Stool and deserved recognition.

According to him, land reform initiatives such as a coherent land administration system, sustainable land use and increased revenue to the traditional rulers would be undertaken before the next session. Osagyefo Amoatia said the Okyeman had a history of innovation and leadership in land administration, adding that the present land tenure and administrative systems had to be reformed, strengthened and expanded.

He appealed to all regulatory bodies to refer all applications for registration of Akyem Abuakwa lands to the Okyeman Lands Commission at Ofori Panin Fie and cautioned that no instrument of Conveyance which, did not bear the signature of the Okyenhene, should be accepted.

The Okyenhene said the Akyem Abuakwa lands should be used in a manner that would alleviate poverty and ensure food security as well as boost private sector investment and rural development.