Bono East Regional Minister lauded for swift response to clash between youth and illegal miners

The Chief of Donkro-Nkwanta, Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempon II, has lauded the Bono East Regional Minister, Kwasi Adu-Gyan for his timely intervention which averted a possible scuffle between the people of the town and some alleged illegal miners.

Last Wednesday, March 31, 2021, the Minister received distress calls and read same on social media platforms about illegal mining operations at Donkronkwanta, a farming community near Nkoranza, which was generating some apprehension in the area.

Apparently, the residents of the area, especially the youth, had accused the chief and elders of giving out some lands in the area to some Chinese and Indians to undertake illegal mining, popularly called galamsey.

The Minister, in the company of some security personnel, rushed in to ascertain the situation per the reports gathered and first called on the chief of the town at his palace where some opinion leaders and disgruntled youth had gathered.

The chief, Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempon II, did not mince words about the suspected illegal mining activities being speculated by some unknown people and said the parcel of land at the centre of the brouhaha was given out by the Queen mother of the Nkoranza Traditional Council with his (Odikro) and the community members knowledge.

He said the youth nearly beat him and his Krontihene believing that, they had taken money from the Indians and Chinese for illegal mining, which the President is currently fighting against.

However, after visiting the site with the team, it came clear that there was no illegal mining yet but some investors have secured about 1500 hectares of land from the Queen mother and had started clearing the crops including Cashew, cassava, plantains etc for their farming activities to commence their investment.

The Minister, therefore, reverted to the chief, briefed him and assured him of meeting with the investors as well as the Omanhemaa for the necessary actions to be taken in earnest.

Both the Minister and the chief agreed on the next steps to be taken.

They called for calm amongst the residents as they try to reach an amicable solution.

NASPA

In another development, the executive members of the National Service Personnel Association for the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions, have paid a courtesy call on the Bono East Regional Minister, Kwasi Adu-Gyan at his office at Techiman to introduce themselves to him and also discuss ways to provide opportunities for the youth to make meaningful contributions towards national development.

They are Prince Gyasi the President, Mohammed Isha Women's Commissioner, Richard Ofori Vice President and Emmanuel Baliekuu Financial Secretary.

The Minister assured them of his readiness to work with them and asked them to present their programmes for collaboration.

The regional leadership of NASPA is still under the old Brong Ahafo Region as new offices are underway for the two new regions.