Asante Kotoko Society Descends On Odike
The Asante Kotoko Society has called out the founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike for his statement against the Manhyia Palace.
This comes despite his retraction a few days ago.
In an interview on Oyerepa FM in August 2022, Odike accused the Manhyia Palace of facilitating illegal mining in the Ashanti region and threatened to mobilise the youth of the kingdom to stage a demonstration against the Palace.
In a statement dated September 15, 2022, the Society described Odike’s allegations as “unwarranted effusions and tantrums”.
It believes his statement gives the opportunity to “people of questionable characters and backgrounds to say all sorts of unprinted things about the Asantehene and Asanteman”.
It recognises that his action amounts to contempt.
The Society further corrected the wrong impression that surrounds the ownership of lands and minerals in the country.
“The Minerals Commission issues licences to operators without reference to chiefs. No chief has the power to stop any operator from prospecting and mining once a licence has been issued in Accra.
“It is, therefore, wrong for Odike to attack Manhyia instead of the government. Per Act 257 (6), minerals on the surface or beneath the soil/land are vested in the President, in trust for the people of Ghana”, a part of the statement read.
The Asante Kotoko Society described as a “palpable fallacy”, Odike’s claim that he is immune to punishment because he hails from Adumakasekese .
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
