The Overlord of the Mo Traditional Area, Nana Kwaku Dankwa III, has firmly refuted claims by the Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area regarding the ownership of the Kintampo Yam Market and the Kintampo Waterfalls. At a press conference held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Nana Dankwa III described the claims as “palpably false and unfounded.”
Historical Context and Land Ownership
Nana Dankwa III asserted that it was the late Nana Kwaku Dimpo II, Omanhene of the Mo Traditional Area, who allocated the land for the construction of the Kintampo Market. He emphasized that Nana Dimpo II poured libation to commence the market’s construction and that the Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area did not attend the groundbreaking event despite being invited.
When the decision to construct the new market arose, both paramount chiefs in Kintampo were consulted to offer land. The Nkoranza Omanhene proposed a site along the Ntankoro Road, while the Mo Omanhene offered the current market location. The Assembly chose the latter for its strategic position along the Kumasi-Tamale highway. Nana Dankwa III highlighted that the Nkoranza Omanhene boycotted the market’s commissioning as a protest against the Assembly’s choice.
Kintampo Waterfalls and Historical Rights
Regarding the Kintampo Waterfalls, Nana Dankwa III mentioned that the Mo people historically performed annual rituals at the site until the demise of Nana Kwaku Dimpo II in 1999. He noted that the waterfalls are situated on Mo lands, as documented by Fuller and confirmed by Hobbs.
Settlement and Independence
He recounted how the people of Kyeremankoma, under the leadership of Nana Suma Nsiah, were granted land by Nana Kwaku Dimpo II to settle in the new Kyeremankoma when they moved from their old settlement. Nana Dankwa III stressed that the Mo people have never been colonized by any ethnic group, including the Ashantis, and have always existed as an independent state.
Boundary and Territorial Claims
Nana Dankwa III outlined the territorial boundaries of the Mo Traditional Area, which shares borders with Techiman, Abease, Wenchi, Nafana, and Gonja. He refuted the Nkoranza Omanhene’s claim of Mo subjugation and declared that Kintampo is a shared town between the Mo and Nkoranza people.
Calls for Evidence and Cooperation
Nana Dankwa III challenged the Nkoranza Omanhene to provide proof of his assertions. He also urged for cooperation and mutual respect, stating that both the Mo and Nkoranza people have the right to install their respective chiefs in Kintampo. Nana Dankwa III concluded by emphasizing the Mo people’s growing awareness and understanding of land rights and documents, refuting any Nkoranza claims to Kintampo land.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com