New Juaben South Assembly Luck Candour: Prince Boateng Family Fumes 

The family of the late Prince Nana Boateng says the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly lacks candour in stating that construction of the statue was done without the knowledge of the Assembly.

About a month ago, New Juaben South Municipal Assembly led by the Municipal Chief Executive Isaac Appau Gyasi revoked the permit issued earlier for beautification and erection of bust at Prince Boateng roundabout in Koforidua.

The revocation came after children of the late Prince Boateng dragged Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Prof. Emeritus Oti Boateng to court for illegally demolishing the sculpture statue.

Stating the reason for the revocation, the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly said it is to safeguard the peace and security in the Municipality following the controversy sculpture has generated.

The revocation took immediate effect. 

A statement by Osarfo Adu Amankwa and Co. chambers issued June 22, 2021, said “We write for and on behalf of our Clients Prince Nana Kwaku Boateng and Ahenenananom. Our Clients instruct us to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 12th May 2021 with reference number SA/124/01B on the above subject".

"Again, our instruction is to refer you to paragraph 4 of your letter of revocation and to state that your office lacks "Candour", by stating that the permit granted to our Clients was executed without the knowledge of the Assembly". 

Adding that "your office is in the full knowledge, that the permit was executed in accordance, with the direction and under the instruction of an Engineer at the Assembly. The project was completed to the notice of the general public and without any restriction from your office. It is therefore untrue for such a statement to be made in your letter of revocation”.

The statement continued that “Our  Clients have cited a letter from the New Juaben Traditional Council to your office which letter contained the fact that the Traditional Council demolished the bust/statue and assigned to itself the duty of name and erecting statues/bust at public spaces contrary to law.

Our Clients assert that the revocation of their permit to beautify and erect the bust/statue of Prince Emmanuel Yao Boateng at Prince Boateng roundabout, after the project has been completed was accentuated by the unlawful conduct of the Traditional Council. Your office has acted in bad faith since no prior notice was given to our clients”.

“We have advised our clients on the various remedial options in law available to them and we shall take immediate steps as soon as our Clients instruct us”.

Meanwhile, the Children of the late Prince Yao Boateng are in court with the New Juaben Traditional Council and Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Prof. Emeritus Oti Boateng for demolishing the bust of the late Prince Emmanuel Yao Boateng erected in Koforidua.

Moreover, the family of the late Prince Emmanuel Yao Boateng issued a two-week ultimatum to the Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Council, to replace the statue of their late father, illegally demolished by the Traditional council.

The family served notice that it will not hesitate to take legal action against the traditional Council if it failed to replace the statute.

The New Juaben Traditional Council on March 5, 2021, pulled down the statute of late Prince Emmanuel Yao Boateng erected in a popular area in Koforidua, called Prince Boateng roundabout named after the late Oheneba.

William Ofori Akwaboa, Eastern Regional Correspondent