Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council, mining company restore strained relationship
The Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council has called on individuals and companies interested in mining to procure valid documents from the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) before venturing into such business.
It also urged such investors to strive to reach peaceful negotiations with the traditional rulers, who are the custodians of the lands, before starting their businesses, to ensure the success of their ventures.
Members of the council made the call at an emergency meeting with the management of Akyem Amenam-based Sikadwaso Mining Company at the Omanhene’s palace at Akyem Oda last Tuesday.
The team, led by Jack Zhang, rendered an apology to the traditional council after a leading member of the company had vilified the President of the Council, Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV, who is also the Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, recently.
The said staff had falsely communicated that the Omanhene had been arrested and detained at the National Police Headquarters for three days, for his involvement in illegal mining.
The traditional council fined the mining company GH¢300,000, 20 rams and three cartons of Schnapps, which the management willingly paid.
The management of the company promised to do genuine business with the traditional council and vowed never to engage in any negative thing again to denigrate the council to mar their cordial relationship.
Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso advised the company to do away with the services of the staff who caused the imbroglio, asking also that the company change its name to Sikadwaso since some of its staff had disrespected members of the traditional council, including his good self.
He said that apart from making false allegations against his person, the staff recruited armed men to forcibly seize a large number of properties belonging to him and the residents of the area.
The Omanhene advised prospective miners against circumventing the laws of the land and using influential politicians to cover up their illegal activities.
He condemned the attitude of the staff, who he said fraudulently acquired a mining lease from the Minerals Commission on January 4, 2025, a few days before President John Mahama took over the reins of government.
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The Omanhene showed pictures and videos of the armed men recruited by Mr Narh to terrorise the residents, vandalise the area and steal precious items, saying, “We won’t allow criminals to operate in the area.”
He said the staff at the heart of the matter ignored the government’s directive against mining in forest reserves and destroyed more than half of the reserves that contained the traditional rulers’ deities, with impunity.
The Akwansrahene, Nana Kwame Akomeah, advised the company to engage in responsible mining without destroying forest reserves, river bodies and the environment.
The other members of the Sikadwaso management were the company’s Community Relations Manager, Enoch Agblo, and another staff member, Ink Liang.
The traditional council later slaughtered two rams on the sacred stone within the premises of the Omanhene’s palace to seal the deal.
