The Asaman Kanin Royal Family, sole occupant of the Golden Stool, has said it owns the entire Kwadaso land in the Kumasi metropolis and asked residents not to pay any “rent of atonement” to any individual or group.

It said the royal gate had not authorized any person or group to collect rent from the inhabitants adding that those who paid such rent did so at their own risk. The about 185 members of the Banatma District of the Veteran Association of Ghana (VAG) who are occupying parts of the Kwadaso land have received a notice purportedly signed by Nana Asare Bediako II, Odikro of Kwadaso, asking them to pay rent ranging between GHC6,000 and GHC150,000.

A copy of the notice made available to the GNA states “I wish to inform you, on your plot in which you have occupied for a long time without being paying the drink money to owners of the land”.

“And now with series of meetings with your association leaders we have come into good compromise for such of drink money to be paid depending on the size of the building plot. Please you are endeavouring to comply with this comprise to avoid any future harassment,” it added.

But reacting to the notice at a meeting with the veterans, Obaapanin Yaa Tiwaa, head of the Asaman Kanin Royal Family said the Kwadaso land was the sole ownership of the royal gate that traced its ancestral lineage to the great Obiri Yeboah, Oti Akenten and Kobi Amanfi.

“The entire Adum area, Ridge, Danyame, Bantama, North and South Patase, Asuoyeboah, Adiebeba, Ahodwo, Apatrapa, Nyankyiremase, Sofoline, Takyiman, Donkyemuoso and Tanoso all form part of the Asaman Kanin Royal Family Land”, she said.

While advising Nana Bediako II to cease from collecting money from the residents, Obaapanin Tiwaa asked the occupants to not pay any money to any person or group.

Ex Warrant Officer George Appiah, Chairman of Bantama District VAG said members occupying the land continued to receive eviction threats from the Odikro of Kwadaso.

He said many of the residents were widows and they could not afford to pay for the money. Ex WO1 Appiah said members had been given a one year ultimatum to pay the money or face forceful eviction and thanked the royal gate for the quick intervention.

The meeting was attended by other members of the Royal Family including Abusuapanin Ohene Tumfour, Obaapanin Adwoa Adowaa, Nana Owusu Ansah, Abusuapanin Kwame Boateng, Maame Agnes Abenaa Mansah, Nana Agyemang, Nana Akokrobeto and Nana Adjei Nkrumah.