The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has implored traditional rulers to make judicious use of community lands in order to serve their purpose for the advantage of the society.

“Traditional authorities have an obligation to ensure that lands entrusted to them, particularly those earmarked for educational, health, religious, recreational and future purposes are protected at all times,” he observed.

Addressing the leadership of the Methodist Church Ghana (MCG) at a sod-cutting ceremony in Kumasi, on Friday, Otumfuo Osei Tutu advised the authorities to shun practices that had the tendency to misuse or compromise their resolve to protecting land resources.

The event was to signify the official commencement of work on a six million Ghana Cedi Banking and Office Complex, being constructed by the church to enhance its financial base.

Messrs Ankomadu Construction Limited is executing the project, which is one of the flagship edifices of the redevelopment programme initiated by the church.

The programme would see the church construct a four-star hotel, school complex and a high-rise car park, covering a land mass of about 10.2 acres.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said since the advent of Methodism over a century ago, the church has been instrumental in transforming the lives of the people for the better, and that, it had also trained well-motivated, and a disciplined crop of leaders to spearhead the nation’s aspirations in all fields of endeavour.

The king lauded the leadership for their tenacity of purpose, saying that, the Manhyia Palace would continue to partner the church to achieve its mission.

The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, the MCG Presiding Bishop, said the church had the vision to explore innovative means to consolidate its growth.

They would invest in real estate development, education and other viable programmes to improve the well-being of the members.