Opinions of Sunday, 25 October 2015

Columnist: Adofo, Rockson

Submit Your Lease Papers to the Palace - Orders Kumawuhene

It is very true that bad company corrupts good character. Again, all birds of the same feathers flock together. Not many years ago, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II ordered most, if not all, the Kumasi landlords and plot owners, thus leaseholders, to submit their indentures to him. He did so in the belief that most real estate owners have had their leaseholds expired since decades, if not centuries, ago.

When the documents were submitted to him, he took billions, hundreds of millions or tens of millions of Ghana old Cedis from each of those who had their lease expired. The charge actually reflected the actual value of the person's property rather than the renewal fee for the lease of the land. Every room, kitchen, toilet and space in the house was measured lengthwise, breadthwise and height to assess how much the owner should pay. The fee of the renewal of the lease as he came up with reflected almost the actual value of the person's house. In effect, he was selling the person's house to him or her but indirectly.

For all the billions of Ghana old Cedis that he collected, what did he do with it to profit the people of Kumasi? He just pocketed the money to serve his selfish ends. The method employed to assess how much people had to pay could well be said to be pure thievery.

Now, the alleged Kumawuhene Barimah Sarfo Tweneboah Koduah (Dr Yaw Sarfo), a complete puppet by all understanding, is imitating that deplorable exploitative scheme hatched and implemented by Kumasihene who doubles as the Ceremonial Head of Asanteman, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Is it Asantehene who has advised him to do that to raise money to share with him or what? Dr Yaw Sarfo says all lands in Kumawuman belong to him so anyone who claims ownership to a house or plot of land in Kumawuman must submit their papers of ownership, thus indenture, to him.

Whether it is true or not, he has started collecting money from some of them.

Ignorance is a disease same as "For lack of knowledge, my people perish" says GOD. How can somebody who is not a legitimate chief order people to submit their papers to him and they will obey, if that does not border on ignorance? The fact that he has been imposed on us by, and sworn allegiance to, Asantehene, does not make him a legitimate Kumawu Omanhene. Asantehene has no right, both traditionally and statutorily to choose, let alone, impose anyone on Kumawuman citizens as their paramount chief (Omanhene). If people will cultivate interest in my publications, they will know or understand better.

No Omanhene, whether legitimate or illegal, must be allowed to inflict broad daylight robbery on their subjects as the Kumasihene did to the immovable property owners in Kumasi.

Woe betides Dr Yaw Sarfo and his bunch of accomplices if they should ask me to produce any papers. Woe betides them, if they ask to see the papers of any of my relatives and friends who listen to me. Woe betides them if they should contact any of the supporters of the God's appointed One, the fire of brimstone will rain from heaven to consume them.

We shall not tolerate the repeat of infliction of broad daylight robbery on Kumasiman on Kumawuman.

Is the money Dr Yaw Sarfo trying to collect for the celebration of the late Barimah Asumadu Sakyi II's funeral secretly scheduled for December 2015 and Papa Festival for early 2016?

Was the alleged Kumawuhene Barimah Sarfo Tweneboah Koduah not chased away like a frightened dog with its tail tucked in-between its hind legs when he went to Aframso on Wednesday 21 October 2015 with intent to visit the inhabitants and then go to the river to pour libation?

I await response to this from his Spokesperson if he has the balls to do so.

Rockson Adofo