Japekrom and Drobo Traditional councils disagree over mining right
The Japekrom and Drobo Traditional councils in the Brong Ahafo Region are accusing each other of encouraging galamsey in spite of the fight by government against illegal mining.
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The disagreement between the two follows the granting of a mining licence to a mining company, Symphony Limited, to prospect for gold in the Jaman North and Jaman South districts.
At a press conference held last week by the Drobo Traditional Council, it accused the acting President of the Japekrom Traditional Council, Okatakyie Amoa Aturu Nkonkonkyia II, of facilitating illegal mining activities in the districts.
But Okatakyie Nkonkonkyia has denied the accusation and warns that he will take legal action to clear his name.
Press conference
This was at another press conference organised by the Japekrom Traditional Council which was addressed by the Japekrom Atipimhene, Nana Dr Adjei Henne Aframfo I.
Explaining the circumstances leading to the dispute between the two, he said officials of Symphony Limited approached the Japekrom Traditional Council on September 16, last year, informing it that the company had secured a license to prospect for gold in the Jaman North and Jaman South districts.
According to Nana Aframfo, the licence that the traditional council witnessed was issued by the Minerals Commission in addition to other documents from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lands Commission, Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands and the Jaman South District Assembly, among others, adding that the working area for the company in the Jaman South District covered portions of the Mpuasu-Japekrom Stool Lands.
He said having inspected and verified the documents submitted to the council which were authentic, the company requested to be introduced to the communities inhabiting the Mpuasu-Japekrom Stool Lands including Baabianeha and Komfourkrom regarding the permit granted it to mine in the area.
New government
He said with a new government in power and efforts being made to curb illegal mining, the traditional council requested Symphony Limited to go for a confirmation letter from the current government regarding the status of its license.
According to Nana Aframfo, the Minerals Commission subsequently forwarded to the council a copy of a letter it gave to Symphony Limited, dated June 2, 2017, confirming that the company was the holder of two prospecting licenses located at Baabianeha and Adomesu.
He said the licenses additionally gave the company authorisation to determine the extent and economic value of gold deposit in the area and report their findings to the government accordingly.
“These facts clearly go to show that the Drobo Traditional Council and its agents are just seeking to use lies to defame the acting President of Japekrom by tagging galamsey on him.
“Their claim of supporting the President’s fight against galamsey is in bad faith, conflicting and mischievous since the Minerals Commission is an agency of government,” Nana Aframfo said.
He accused the Drobo Traditional Council and its agents of promoting lawlessness, indiscipline, impunity and raising false alarm that undermined the procedures and protocols of the Minerals Commission.
“The Japekrom Traditional Council is in support of attempts by the government to improve the lives and living conditions of Ghanaians through lawful or legitimate means,” he said, adding that “the council does not in any way support activities that destroy lands and water bodies in Ghana.
Nana Aframfo urged the Abontendomhene of the Drobo Traditional Council to retract the claim made against Okatakyie Nkonkonkyia, else “we will seek legal redress to clear the falsehood peddled against the acting President of the Japekrom Traditional Council to preserve and protect the good name of the Mpuasu-Japekrom State”.
He urged media houses to be circumspect in their reportage by ensuring that the news they put out was credible before publishing it.
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