The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has delivered a stern public rebuke to the Bantamahene, Nana Baffour Asare, during the monthly Kumasi Traditional Council meeting held yesterday, July 31, 2026, over the chief’s decision to deploy state security personnel to assert control over disputed lands.
The King’s admonition, which took place in the presence of dozens of sub-chiefs and elders, centered on the Bantamahene’s failure to follow established chieftaincy protocols in handling land-related grievances.
“I Gave You the Land – Come to Me First”
According to sources close to the council, the Asantehene expressed deep displeasure that the Bantamahene had bypassed the traditional chain of command by calling on police and military officers to enforce his claim over parcels of land, rather than bringing the matter before the Golden Stool.
“I gave you the land. If there is any dispute, why not come to me to inform me? I should be the first port of call in these cases because the land belongs to me. I allotted it to you,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was quoted as saying, his voice rising with visible frustration.
The King emphasized that as the custodian of all stool lands in the Ashanti Kingdom, he retains ultimate authority over land allocations and adjudications. He reminded the gathering that any unresolved land dispute among sub-chiefs must first be brought to the Asantehene’s court before resorting to external interventions.
Background: The Bantama Stool and Land Tensions
The Bantama stool is one of the most prominent divisional stools in the Ashanti Kingdom, traditionally responsible for the Bantama suburb of Kumasi, which includes the Manhyia Palace vicinity and significant commercial and residential properties. In recent years, competing claims over plots in the area have intensified, with some individuals and families contesting the Bantamahene’s authority to allocate lands.
It is understood that the recent dispute involved a parcel of land that the Bantamahene had purported to allocate to a private developer, but which was also claimed by another family with historical ties to the area. Rather than referring the matter to the Asantehene’s arbitration, the Bantamahene allegedly requested police and military escorts to physically eject the rival claimants—an action that prompted the King’s rebuke.
A Warning on the Abuse of State Security
The Asantehene’s remarks also carried a broader warning about the misuse of state security apparatus in traditional disputes. He cautioned that such actions not only erode the authority of the traditional council but also risk drawing the state into chieftaincy conflicts, which could escalate into public disorder.
“The security agencies are there to protect lives and property, not to be used as tools for personal land grabs. This is unacceptable,” the King added, directing the Bantamahene to submit a full report on the land in question to the council’s lands committee within two weeks.
Council Backs the King
The Kumasi Traditional Council, which comprises the senior divisional chiefs of the kingdom, unanimously endorsed the Asantehene’s position. Several chiefs voiced concerns that the growing tendency by some sub-chiefs to rely on police and military force undermines the traditional judicial system, which has peacefully resolved land disputes for centuries.
One senior chief, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the incident is a test case for the King’s authority and warned that future breaches could attract sanctions, including suspension or destoolment of offending chiefs.
Reaction from the Bantamahene
Nana Baffour Asare has not yet issued a public response to the rebuke. However, sources indicate he has since apologised privately to the Asantehene and pledged to follow due process moving forward. The land dispute itself is expected to be referred to the Asantehene’s arbitration tribunal for a final determination.
Significance
The incident underscores the Asantehene’s unwavering stance as the final arbiter of land disputes in the Ashanti Region—a role that is constitutionally recognised under Ghana’s customary land tenure system. It also serves as a reminder to all sub-chiefs that the Golden Stool remains the supreme authority, and that any deviation from its protocols will be met with swift and public correction.
As land values in Kumasi continue to soar, the King’s firmness is likely to deter other chiefs from similar infractions, reinforcing the traditional council’s role as the primary forum for peaceful land resolution.
