Problematic roundabouts: Ejisu residents to resist removal of Yaa Asantewaa statue

Some residents in the Ejisu Municipality in the Ashanti region has vowed to resist any attempt by the Road ministry to remove the Ejisu roundabout that have the statue of the late Queenmother of Ejisu, Nana Asantewaa I.

They said the statue of the late queenmother represents and embodies the ‘soul’ of Ejisuman and removing it means the destruction of the community ‘spiritually’ and will expose the community from spiritual attack.

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, during a working visit to the Ashanti region in October 2017, directed the removal of the four  problematic roundabouts at the Ejisu, Oduom, Boadi Junction and KNUST junction on the Ejisu-Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) highway in Kumasi.

The directive, he said, was to halt the increasing accidents and gridlocks caused by the roundabouts on that stretch of the road.

Some of the residents speaking to Otec news’Isaac Nsiah Foster on Monday April 9, 2018, said the removal of the problematic roundabout is welcomed but will resist any attempt to removing the statue.

“The Yaa Asantewaa statue which is cited within Ejisu roundabout serves a purpose, it reminds us of the heroic exploits of the Asante queen who stood up against the whitemen when they (the whites) attacked the Asante kingdom, how can it be removed, we swear that we will resist any attempt for its removal” a resident warned.

It attracts tourists and beautifies the community, it was by her courage that Asantes exists now, and we revere her so much and will want her statue to be forever here to inspire not only women to be courageous but men also. It also reminds of our responsibilities to protect and die for a nation when the need arises,” another resident said.

Chief linguist to the Omanhene of Ejisu Traditional Area, Kyeame Ampofo, speaking to Otec News appealed to the residents to remain calm as the officials of Ghana Highways Authorities have assured that the statue will not be removed.

Source: otecfmghana.com/ Isaac Nsiah Foster