Minister Clears Okyenhene Over Galamsey

Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, has cleared the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and his palace of being involved in illegal mining activities at Kyebi in the Eastern Region.

A Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) report released recently had accused the Okyenhene and some persons around him as being complicit in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.

The report also confirmed widely-held opinion that 'powerful hands' were behind galamsey activities.

In a statement, Mr. Amewu defended the Okyenhene saying, “The said BNI report only recorded a said perception against the Okyenhene's palace.”

He argued that the report “did not accuse the Okyenhene or the palace of being complicit in illegal mining activities” as reported by the media.

Mr. Amewu indicated that “checks by this ministry indicate that the last known environmental protection taskforce from the palace was disbanded over three years.”

He said, “To the best of this ministry's knowledge, the Okyenhene's Foundation has rather been at the forefront of the fight against illegal mining and the ministry will continue to urge the Okyenhene, his Foundation and other traditional authorities to continue supporting this necessary fight to save the environment.”

Already, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has dismissed the allegations made against him in the report.

His lawyer, Kwame Acheampong Boateng, is reported by Joy FM to have stated that the Okyenhene has never been involved in galamsey activities and has on the contrary been one of the first people fighting galamsey in Ghana.

By Melvin Tarlue