A group calling itself Okyeman Youth Association (OYA) has stated that it would go all lengths to defend the lands of Akyem.
The group has also warned that it would not take kindly to attacks on the Okyehene, Osagyefo amoatia Ofori Panin.
In a press statement yesterday, the group stated that there is ‘land theft by KOANS Building Solutions Limited led by a certain Kofi Anokye’ and their resolve for massive public protest.
They stated that in recently published statements, Kofi Anokye alleged that lands leased to the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) have had directed payments to the Ofori Panin Palace at Adabraka through his alleged surrogates.
“We demand that he produces evidence of receipt of payment within forty-eight hours, or faces our legitimate confrontation with his indiscretions,” they stated.
They emphasized that Kofi Anokye has no proper or legitimate root of title.
The statement was signed by Archibald Ntiri Acquah, President, Samuel Abuakwa Frimpong, PRO- OYA, and Bright Nana Ofori Apau, Deputy-PRO-OYA
They stated that KOANS claim of ownership is based on an alleged sale of the said land to the Mankata and Quansah families by the Apedwa stool is ‘fraudulent and same is legally untenable’.
“We are befuddled by the claim of the Mankata family that they own twenty-seven thousand acres of Okyeman lands. Historically, it is only through an act of war and conquest that a group can lay claim to such vast land,” the group stated.
They stated that the Okyenhene is the immemorial allodial owner of all the lands in Akyem Abuakwa, thus per the records of the Ofori Panin Fie there has been no evidence of any land transaction with the Mankata and the Quansah Families.
“All the claims by Mr. Kofi Anokye are a public admission of fraud and deliberate misrepresentation of facts,” the group stated.
The Okyeman Youth Association stated that it is also concerned with his unprovoked distortion of historical facts on two main points.
They stated that it is the deliberate and ignorant misrepresentation of the views of the venerable Dr. J.B. Danquah that 98% of Akyem Abuakwa lands have been sold, sighting a 1918 publication.
They stated that in the recent public statement by the Okyeman State Secretary, Okyeman has granted usufructuary rights without regard to ethnic identity in the spirit of human solidarity as characterized by its long-standing cultural tradition.
“What Dr. J.B. Danquah was referring to, will not escape any reasonable mind was not a transfer of allodial ownership but a right conferred on the customary usufruct, that is families, groups, and individuals who have with the permission of the Okyenhene and the various sub-stools used Akyem Abuakwa Lands for farming purposes,” they stated.
They said that the other point clearly is the attempted assault on the dignity of the Ofori Panin Stool with reference to the murder of Akyea Mensah, a matter that has been resolved to the understanding that the revered Ofori Panin Stool was never involved in the act.
“All documents prove and police reports by the then colonial government substantiate the above.
The more interesting point, which concerns us, is the orchestrated vilification of His Royal Majesty the Okyenhene and Okyeman.
“This has eroded the patience of the leadership and ranks of the Okyeman Youth Association not only on Mr. Kofi Anokye but those who give support and encouragement to his insurgency against Okyeman.
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the Okyeman Youth Association wish to state its annoyance and displeasure to the Despite Group of Companies, owners of Neat F.M and its host Adakabre Frimpong Manso granting an unethical audience to Mr. Kofi Anokye and subsequently publishing his hateful and disrespectful comments on its online platform.
“The Okyeman Youth Association does not want to believe that the owner of Despite Media Group Mr. Osei Kwame Despite sanctioned the rented conduct of Mr. Adekabre Frimpong Manso.
However his loud silence on this matter has provoked this response.
“OYA wants to state unequivocally that it will be unable to restrain its members from their legitimate confrontation to the theft of Akyem Abuakwa lands which was won by blood and sweat of our ancestors.
“We kindly advice that Mr. Kofi Anokye in his personal interest should not step foot on Akem Abuakwa soil.
“It is regretful that we need to add Mr. Adakabre Frimpong Manso to the same fate as Mr. Kofi Anokye.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, we take this opportunity to assure His Royal Majesty Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin of our support in his effort at safe guarding the mineral and land resources of Okyeman.
“On this point we cannot fail to note his advocacy and commitment to sustainable livelihood of the youth, not only of Okyeman over the past two decades.
“The Okyeman Youth Association express this view in the larger interest of the public good, not on sectarian jingoist consideration.
“We wish to assure all that Okyeman will not become an unconscious plaything in the hands of profiteers and fraudulent businessmen who want to reap where they have not sown.
Okyeman has been home to all the people of Ghana and it will ever be,” they said.
