Confused Okyenhene Accuses Mahama Govt Of Galamsey, Praises Akufo-Addo

–Despite Hardcore Evidence of Akufo Addo Appointees in Galamsey.

The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has claimed that his personal efforts to fight illegal mining, aka galamsey, during the Mahama era was sabotaged by politicians who were more interested in votes than the safety of the environment.

In an interview with the pro-government Asaase Radio, President Akufo-Addo’s cousin and hometown chief claimed that in 2014, he had gotten the then Chief of Defense Staff to rally soldiers to fight galamsey in Kyebi and that the fight had succeeded.

However, “politicians” soon called the CDS and ordered him to stop the fight because it was an election year. The point is that Article 257(6) [of the Constitution] places all the natural resources in their [central government] hands for protection for future generations. They need to protect them. We [the chiefs] do not have coercive force. I tried to use my people to drive them away and we were facing danger every day and people didn’t know.”

“At one time in my relationship with the then Chief of Defence Staff, I begged him. I said it [galamsey] was getting out of hand and we should probably organize some of the military people to come here [Kyebi]. They did and within a week the whole thing has been shut down. A week later they [the politicians] called them [military] and said ‘don’t you know it’s an election year?”

It is not clear if the Okyenhene can provide any evidence to the claim that politicians sabotage a personal effort against galamsey in Kyebi. Interestingly, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin was commenting on allegations that he himself was a kingpin of galamsey in Kyebi.

In May 2014, a royal of the Ofori Panin Stool, Odehyee Nana Kwame Adjei Boateng, accused Osagyefo Ofori Panin of being a notorious head honcho of galamsey in Kyebi and recommended his arrest over the alleged criminal activity.

Nana Boateng was said to have backed his allegation with receipts allegedly issued to a known galamsey operator from the Office of the Okyenhene.

However, denying the allegation on Asaase Radio, Akufo-Addo’s hometown chief said it was concocted and that he has shed tears over the claim that he is a galamseyer.

But the Okyehene’s honesty comes under question when he claimed his cousin’s Presidency had been more proactive in the fight against galamsey despite the revelations, both on video and documentary evidence of Akufo Addo appointees actively involved in Galamsey.

“The thing today is that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has the bravery to speak about it and lessen the galamsey issues in our country.” He may have lost some votes, but it’s more about voter safety than it is about votes.”

This includes the revelation in the posthumous will of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) showed how he used state resources to undertake illegal mining. Also, the former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng was caught on tape talking about how he distributed seized excavators of illegal miners to party officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).