The Gwira Traditional Council in the Western Region has appealed to President Akufo-Addo to end the activities of a mining company in the community.

According to them, Okobeng Mining Company has not made any significant contribution to the development of the community after a decade of mining.

Spokesperson of the Council and Chief, Nana Ette Akrade II, said all efforts by the chiefs to end mining activities have proved futile making them live as slaves in their land.

“The People of Gwira have turned to slaves on their own land. It is clear, so the President and the Minister should come to our aid,” he said.

https://youtu.be/w-mUt4nMw9s

Speaking on Joy News’ the Pulse on Tuesday, he explained that the Council had taken the company to the Minerals Commission which directed Okobeng Mining company to settle the issues with the chiefs which were ignored.

“We started somewhere, from the municipality we were directed to go to the Minerals Commission. He [CEO of the mine] was invited there and the directive was to return to ‘Nananom’ and see what you can do. That was two years ago, he did not show up,” he added.

He explained that they were surprised to find from the youth of the community that he was still mining on their lands despite warnings.

“At a traditional council meeting, the youth came to the meeting, they quizzed why we made them stop illegal mining, but allow another. You can’t control the person because maybe we have taken something from him. We were shocked,” he added.

Nana Akrade II recounting the situation told host Blessed Sogah “we went to the site and were denied access but we forced our way in because he has not visited any of our places with land documentation and mining permit. Upon return from the site they had deflated our car tyres.”

Describing the activities of the mining company as a nuisance he said “people cannot go to their farms if anybody wants to take a clay or bamboo. They are told it belongs to the mining company.”

Another spokesperson and Chief of Gwira Abelebu, Nana Dominle Mienza 11 said the Okobeng Company claimed to be licensed and therefore taken over portions of the land.

“Our men in the area are unable to visit the bush because he [Mr Amponsah] has hired the services of strong men who carry weapons in the bush,” he bemoaned.

Nana Mienza 11 reiterated that “we do not want that man, Amponsah and his company Okobeng at the site or anywhere in Gwira land. His activities are a nuisance,” he said.

He said he had to go into hiding because the said Amponsah had called radio stations and accused him of engaging in illegal mining.

“He announced on three different radio that I was involved in galamsey [illegal mining]. My friends told me about it, I had to hide for two days because I might be arrested by the police,” he said.