The issue on illegal mining has taken a centre stage for quiet sometime now especially in our river bodies.

A recent comment by a 2020 presidential aspirant and business mogul, Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike indicated excessive illegal mining in the offin River after the passing on of the chief of Offinso, Nana Wiafe Akenten.

His comment has received a lot of criticism from community rulers and kings, as a result, it’s perceived that his comment has not been well received by the King of Ashanti, His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu ♊️.

In an interview with Omanhene Yaw Adu Boakye on the Sompa Tv morning show on Monday 21 August 2022, the municipal chief executive officer of Offinso municipal, Hon Owusu Appiah vehemently denied any form of mining in the River Offin.

He alluded that there has never been any form of mining in the community, neither galamsey or small scale mining .

He debunk the allegations leveled against them by Mr Addai Odike, callling it fallacy.

He, therefore, called on the media to investigate if there has been any form of mining in the Offinso municipality.

“I don’t know what he’s talking about, after the passing of our king, there hasn’t been any form of mining, talk less of illegal ones, no mining company has even visited for any form of concession, you can find out yourself, what he said is total lies, it’s fabricated, he told Omanhene.

Background

Founder and Leader of United Progressive Party, Akwasi Addai ‘Odike’, has incurred the wrath of Manhyia Palace in Kumasi for his comments on the role of chiefs in illegal mining.

Some chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council, led by the Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, on Friday performed rituals to ostensibly banish Odike from Manhyia.

The businessman turned politician was guest on Kumasi-based Oyerepa Fm, where he unequivocally criticised the chiefs for failing to help end the galamsey menace.

He is also accused of inciting the youth to rise up and demonstrate against chiefs if they fail to come clear on their roles in or stance against illegal mining.

But his comments have been described as distasteful and unsubstantiated, meant to dent the image of Manhyia.

The chiefs consider the words of Odike as disrespectful.

They slaughtered a ram in traditional rites to prevail on the gods to help resist any rebellion against the Asante Kingdom.

Source…www.sompaonline.com//Eric Murphy Asare