The building at Kejetia which the chiefs have ordered the KMA to demolish without paying compensation to the owner
The Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC), headed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has given the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) the green light to demolish a newly constructed building, which is hampering the completion of the Kejetia Terminal project without compensation to the owner.
The chiefs stated that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II personally informed the owner not to construct any new building at the terminal, which is currently under development.
But Karikari Kofi Asante, the owner, defied the order and put up the building.
The latest traditional order was issued at the Manhyia Palace, the official seat of the Asantehene, during a KTC meeting, which was chaired by Bantamahene Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia VI, on Monday.
Representatives of KMA and Mr Asante, the developer, were present.
The Bantamahene stated that there was an initial legal tussle between the KMA and Mr Asante, regarding some portion of lands at Kejetia which led to the delay in the completion of the Kejetia Bus Terminal Project.
According to him, the matter was forwarded to the Asantehene for amicable resolution of the case.
Otumfuo admonished Mr Asante not to construct any additional building at the place.
In line with this, Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia VI, stated that the KTC has given the KMA the approval to demolish the new structure at the Kejetia.
The Bantamahene stated that the development of Kumasi supersedes the interest of every individual in the city.
The traditional leader charged the KMA to take steps to ensure proper evaluation of old buildings at Kejetia, which also belong to Mr Asante which have been earmarked for demolition.
According to him, a committee, which is made up of some Kumasi chiefs and lawyers of the two feuding parties, including the KMA and Mr Asante, would be formed to work collectively to ensure the peaceful resolution of the impasse between KMA and Mr Asante.
Earlier, Ing Nana Opoku Agyeman, the Kumasi Roads Director, who represented the Kumasi Mayor, who is currently outside the country, disclosed that the Kejetia Project had delayed because the contractors could not get access to the technical area due to court injunctions by Mr Asante.
Mr Asante, the CEO of All State Construction Ltd, said he was not interested in delaying the Kejetia Project, explaining that the KMA had demolished two of his buildings without paying compensation.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi