SC@150: No Individual Or Family Holds Allodial Interest In Any Asante Land – Otumfuo
The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has asserted that no Asante land is absolutely owned by an individual or family.
His Majesty noted that allodial titles are vested in stools under the Golden Stools.
The King raised the topic, which has in recent days generated significant agitation, uncertainty, and sometimes litigation, while delivering an address at the second in a series of lectures by the Judiciary in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Supreme Court, on July 16, 2026.
Citing a case over designated KNUST land brought to court by some persons claiming ownership of about 1,000 acres, His Majesty clarified that individuals and groups can only hold leasehold or usufructuary interest.
“First and foremost, it is imperative to state for emphasis that in Asanteman, allodial ownership of land vests in the stools who hold same in trust for the Golden Stool. There are no family allodial lands in Ashanti.”
“Therefore, families and individuals can only hold leasehold or usufructuary interest in lands in Ashanti but never allodial interest or title.”
With regard to usufructuary rights, the Asantehene explained that they are valid only if the land is traceable to a stool, with holders showing a distinct customary function to the stool.
Otumfuo noted that this forms part of Asante customs as protected by the 1992 Constitution.
“The Asante Confederacy decided in 1938 that all lands in Ashanti are vested in the stools in trust for the Golden Stool. That is our customary law which is guaranteed by the Constitution of 1992.”
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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