Abide by country’s mining regulation — Omanhene charges Zi jin Golden Ridge Limited
The Omanhene of Akyem Kotoku State, Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV, has urged Zi Jin Golden Ridge Limited, which has purchased the assets of Newmont Akyem, to strictly abide by the country’s mining regulations in order not to incur the displeasure of the government.
He stressed that the advice had become imperative because any infractions by the company could result in the abrogation of its contract, which could negatively affect its huge investment.
Oseadeeyo Frimpong Manso made the call at an emergency meeting held between the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council and the management of Zi Jin at the Omanhene’s palace at Akyem Oda last Thursday.
He emphasised the need for the company to make environmental protection its priority by not destroying water bodies and forest reserves.
The Omanhene admonished the company to respect the advice of the traditional council by regularly honouring its obligations to the government and the payment of royalties to the council.
Oseadeeyo Frimpong Manso stressed that apart from him as the Omanhene, who owned the surface rights of lands in the traditional area, any chief who used his title to sign any documents was an imposter and those documents were fake.
The Omanhene advised Zi Jin to respect the authority of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council but not to behave like Newmont Akyem, which sidelined the council in the discharge of its duties.
He assured Zi Jin of the traditional council’s maximum support to ensure the success of its investment and urged the company to reciprocate the gesture.
The Gyaasehene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Obrempong Amo Kyeretwie, stated that the Akyem Adausenahene, Nana Bono Abankro, had been suspended by the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council so Zi Jin should not enter any agreement with him.
He gave an assurance that the traditional council would do everything possible within its power for the company to succeed.
Obrempong Kyeretwie seized the opportunity to appeal to the company to help reconstruct the Akyem Kotoku Omanhene’s palace, which had been destroyed by a rainstorm.
The General Manager of Zi Jin Golden Ridge Limited, Agyeman Okyere, was grateful to the Kotoku Omanhene and the traditional council for the assurance of offering the company the needed support and promised to work to their satisfaction.