The call by the Asanteman Council for the removal of the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Kojo Bonsu, is non-negotiable, Nana Kwadwo Arhin II, Mentiahene of the Asantehene, has told Accra100.5FM.
The council declared on Monday, July 4 that it could no longer work with the Kumasi mayor following his refusal to answer its summons to respond to issues on the Kejetia Lorry Terminal Redevelopment Project.
The KMA boss had questioned the locus of Nana Agyenim Boateng I, chief of Amoaman, who represents Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II – the head of the Asanteman Council – on the project.
But speaking to Chief Jerry Forson, host of the station’s morning show, Ghana Yensom, on Tuesday, July 5, Nana Arhin II said: “If the Otumfuo delegates someone to oversee an activity for Asanteman, he acts in the same capacity as the Otumfuo. So if that person is disregarded, it is similar to disrespecting the entire Asante kingdom and its chiefs.”
He said Monday’s no-show by Mr. Bonsu was not his first time of showing “disrespect” towards the traditional council. He said similar happenings had compelled his invitation by the council sometime back, but he failed to put in an appearance.
“This is the second time. So, these have led Nananom to conclude that since he has no respect for them, they cannot coexist with him on Asante land and administer the Kumasi metropolis. So the chiefs have stated that the president should get him out of the Ashanti Region,” he added.
He explained that: “Once the traditional council takes a decision and the linguist communicates it, no pacification is accepted by Nananom.”
Nana Arhin said the council was well aware that the country’s laws barred chiefs from active politics, for which reason it would not interfere with the work of any government appointee, but said traditional authorities had a responsibility to ensure the welfare of their subjects, hence its decision to query the state of the Kejetia project in order to bring about peace following the disquiet it has generated.