“That Is Why My Heart Is Here”- Otumfuo Traces KNUST Land Demarcation
The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has traced the demarcation of the land for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to the efforts of his two immediate predecessors.
Their effort, Otumfuo says, is driving his passion to protect the land from persons claiming ownership at all costs.
Recalling the demarcation and allocation of the land to the government for the construction of the institution, Otumfuo said the process was undertaken by his brother, Matthew Opoku, who later became Asantehene.
At the time, he said, his brother was a surveyor and lawyer working at the Asantehene Land Secretariat.
His brother, he said, was mandated with the duty to survey and demarcate the land at the instance of Otumfuo Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, the 14th Asantehene, following the latter’s agreement with former President Kwame Nkrumah.
“This barter trade between my uncle and Kwame Nkrumah — you give me the land, and I will build the school — and he agreed. My brother was a surveyor at the Lands Department. Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, then Matthew Opoku, was charged to demarcate this land for the purpose of building this university.”
This, His Majesty disclosed, accounts for his resolve to protect the school’s land.
“That is why my heart is here.”
His Majesty stated during a speech delivered at the institution’s 75th anniversary that all the land allotted to the school belongs to the Golden Stool, not to any individual.
“I say not a piece of this land will be given to anybody. I have cautioned because the land belongs to the Golden Stool. The chiefs are caretakers. No abusuapanin owns land.”
“The lands are all vested in the stools, and therefore anyone within KNUST or elsewhere who conspires with people to take matters of the land to court — just because you can obtain a judgment for 1,000 acres of university land to sell — I say no. I will never allow that to happen.”
Otumfuo also expressed surprise at the willingness of some lawyers to pursue such frivolous cases.
“I am surprised some lawyers take up these cases. With all due respect, professionalism does not mean every case at all must be taken to court.”
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
