The Kontinhene of Asuom, Nana Boadi Ampomenim Abodade III, has alleged that a sister of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, is engaging in illegal mining with protection from the military.
Speaking to Channel One News, the traditional leader expressed his frustration about the rise of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” in the country and the involvement of some people in authority in the practice.
According to him, “People that have prospecting license are using it, people that do not have contracts for concessions are just using the paper and by care destroying wherever they go.”
“It’s a huge battle for this country because AC Zenon which is Amina Tahiru’s company and I’m not scared to mention that it is alleged that she is a brother of Abu Jinapor, so therefore she can just go, and a concession will sign for her,” he added.
He indicated that, “As we speak today, the youth of Asuom have told all of them to stop work, go back, reclaim all the destruction you have caused and most of them obliged. Madam Amina Tahiru is saying she’ll not oblige. As a matter of fact, she has military men today at her site, protecting it while they mine.”
Nana Abodade III further called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to take immediate action to end galamsey in the country.
“Mr President [Akufo-Addo], you’re our uncle and a brother, we barely have about months to go but I believe you can change things around, you can do it. You pledged your presidency on the line for galamsey. Your legacy will be measured for that pledge and posterity will not forgive you if you do not do something about it now, we are pleading with you.
“Within two months you can cause a change because when it was banned, within a few weeks we realised that we were having some positive results, ban it. Get people together. let’s go back to the drawing board and do things right,” he explained.
