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Chiefs and assembly member within Gyeninso in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti region have refute claims there’s an ongoing illegal mining activity in the Gyeninso forest.
According to them, there’s a circulating audio in which the old MP for the area, Prof. Albert Joseph Quarm could be heard saying there’s an ongoing gallamsey in the Gyeninso forest.
The chief of Gyeninso, Nana Appiah Kubi II said there’s no truth in such audio and if there’s any ongoing forest gallamsey, he as a chief doesn’t know anything about it. He therefore calls on those making such claims to provide evidence so that he will follow up since he has warned his people never to engage in such activities.
I have never done gala before and I don’t even know anything about gallamsey. Nobody has ever come to me for any land to do gallamsey. If there’s anyone in the forest without my knowledge, people should help me locate them because they’re thiefs. I have spoken against illegal mining on several occasions.
I once commended the government and even made a recommendation on a radio station. I plead with Prof. to come feed me with further details so that we follow up to get that illegal person”. The chief said.
On his part, Otumfour Mmentiahene Nana Tweneboah Kodua said there’s nothing like that and he sees such a serious allegation as something that needs a critical attention and investigation. He therefore calls on Prof. Quarm to help them with evidence.
“I heard about such allegation when I was in Kumasi. I came around, went to the forest to find out but couldn’t find anything as such. I haven’t seen any chief given such forest for illegal mining since it goes contrary to the President’s directive. Prof Quarm should kindly help us with evidence, else such a claim is something serious that tarnishes the chiefs’ image.
In fact, we will make him face us in court should he fail to help out with evidence to claim”. He said.
Lastly, assembly member for the area, Hon. Frederick Kofi Minta said he hasn’t seen or heard any chief given a forest to someone for illegal mining.
“I have never seen anyone enter the forest with any excavator or any suspicious mining. I urged such people with the said allegation to provide immediate evidence or stop tarnishing the town’s image”. He said.
By Simon Opoku Afriyie-Otec fm/ choicenewsonline.com
