The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin says, he will not relent on his effort to crack the whip among any Chief within the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area who is involved in illegal mining popularly called Galamsey.
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has ordered for the destoolment of Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe, Nana Boakye Darkwa over illegal mining.
This comes after the Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe, Nana Boakye Darkwa admitted his involvement in illegal mining at Asamang Tamfoe before the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council in Kyebi.
This was after some residents in the community calling themselves Concerned Citizens of Asamang Tamfoe petitioned the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council on November 9, 2022 accusing the Chief of engaging in illegal mining, polluting rivers, and degrading farmlands threatening food security and livelihood of small holder farmers.
The petition was submitted weeks after some illegal miners in Asamang Tamfoe clashed with Okyeman Environmental Taskforce on anti-galamsey operation in the community leading to exchange of gunshots on the streets.
Subsequently, the Benkumhene held a press conference on October 6, 2022 calling the bluff of Okyeman Environmental taskforce led by Chief of Akyem Apapam, Osabarima Apagya Ofori IV and dared to violently clash with them should they return to the community.
Acting on the petition, the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council summoned the Chief of Asamang Tamfoe Osabarima Kwame Koh II and the Benkumhene Nana Boakye Darkwa to appear before it on 21st November, 2022 for hearing which they complied.
The necessary customary rites were performed by Okyenhene’s Chief Linguist, Okyeame Antwi Boasiako on a stone referred to as ‘Bonsamboo’ at the forecourt of the Ofori Panin Fie to symbolise the destoolment of the Benkumhene.
The customary rites were performed in the presence of the Kyebi Executive Council and the Chief of Asamang Tamfoe, Nana Kwame Koh II.
Press conference and gross insubordination
At the press conference, he addressed himself as the Chairman of the Community Mining Committee at Asamang Tamfoe and Benkumhene of the area who wield the sole powers to supervise community mining in the area.
Nana Darkwa is said to have instigated the Asamang Tamfoe youth in a confrontation that ensued between the Okyeman Environmental Taskforce and a section of the youth in the area which lead to the sporadic gunshot in the area some months ago.
He had questioned the authority of the leader of the Okyeman Environmental Taskforce who double as the Apapamhene, Okogyeman Apedja Fori and the Kyebi Divisional Police Command on clamping down the menace of illegal mining in the area.
At the Judicial Council meeting in Kyebi, the Council revealed that, their checks at the Minerals Commission denied the commissioning of any Community Mining at Tamfoe. It further states that, the Minerals Commission has not appointed anybody to Chair Community Mining Module in the area.
Report says, Nana Darkwa previously declined an invitation by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council over his conduct and exhibited gross insubordination towards the Okyenhene.
At the Judicial Council meeting, Nana Darkwa lied down before the Okyenhene in remorse but the Okyenhene after listening to his admissions on illegal mining and calling the bluff off the Okyeman Taskforce made a consequential order for his destoolment.
The Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa insisted that, the Benkumhene is not fit to be a Chief per his conduct.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin cautioned Chiefs within the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area to be guided by this development and desist from promoting activities of illegal mining or getting involved in same or face destoolment.
