Replace Kojo Bonsu; Asanteman Council petitions President
The Asanteman Council, the highest decision-making body in Asanteland, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to immediately replace the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr Kojo Bonsu, for slighting the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and bringing his office into disrepute.
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The council threatened to make Mr Bonsu’s work difficult and stall all projects by the KMA, including the Kejetia Market, should the President fail to act on its demand.
Minister’s intervention
The council issued the threat at a durbar of chiefs in Kumasi yesterday, an event it expected Mr Bonsu to attend to explain himself to the council.
Mr Bonsu was, however, not present at the grand durbar of the chiefs, although he had allegedly been given prior notice to attend.
Not even the intervention by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr John Alexander Ackon, could persuade the council members to rescind their decision.
The minister asked for two weeks for Mr Bonsu to appear before the council, since he was currently on sick leave, but the council, led by Otumfuo’s Akwamuhene, who doubles as the Asafohene, Nana Acheamfour Kwame Akowuah II, would not budge, insisting that the council would have nothing to do with Mr Bonsu again.
The petition insisted that the next chief executive of the KMA must be an Ashanti.
Complaint
The council’s action follows a complaint lodged with it by the Amoamanhene, Nana Agyin Boateng, over a letter signed by Mr Bonsu questioning his status on the Kejetia Market Committee.
The Amoamanhene was allegedly chosen by Otumfuo to be his representative on the committee, which is overseeing the construction of the market.
Months after Nana Boateng had worked closely with Mr Bonsu on the committee, the KMA reportedly wrote to the Amoamanhene that it did not have any record to the effect that he was Otumfuo’s representative and wanted him to produce evidence or substantiate his position on the committee.
The chiefs slaughtered a ram to signify the severing of their relationship with Mr Bonsu and for slighting the Asantehene.