The Omanhene of Akyem Kotoku state (Oda) and two Chinese nationals have been arrested for engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey in Akyem Amenam in the Abirem District of the Easter Region.
A personal aide of the Oda Manhene has also been remanded for his role in the death of an Okada rider, Kwaku Eric, who was beaten to death by thugs protecting the mining interests of the Manhene
The Oda Manhene was arrested at the Police Headquarters when he went there in the company of two police officers to bail the two Chinese nationals who had been arrested earlier.
They had been arrested by personnel from the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) of the Ghana Police Service for playing various roles in galamsey activities of Chester Gold Enterprise belonging to the Oda Manhene.
This company illegally mines on the concession of Sikadwaso Global Limited, another company licensed by the Minerals Commission to mine in Akyem Amenam.
Sikadwaso Global Limited, despite being granted license to mine, is still awaiting further documentation from the regulatory body to commence work.
Chester Gold Enterprise taking advantage of this lapse has employed the Chinese nationals and other thugs to be mining on the concession allocated to Sikadwaso Global Limited.
Not even the several arrest of the Chinese Miners and some members of the gang have deterred the Oda Manhene from shutting his umbrella of protection over the Chinese.
He indeed proved his loyalty to these hoodlums and the galamseyers when he and the Abirem Commander, on at least two occasions, frustrated the efforts of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) to convey the gang and the Chinese to the Police Headquarters by blocking police check points after their arrest.
When those efforts failed, he personally stormed the headquarters to seek bail for the arrested miners, including one Chinese who claimed he acted as a mining consultant for the chief and his Chester Gold Enterprise
It was here that he was arrested and made to pen down his statement, after which he was also released on bail and told to report at the headquarters with the Chinese.
TENSION
The gruesome murder of 29-year-old Okada rider by the rampaging gang of Chester Gold Enterprise has led to the building up of tension in the Akyem Amenam community.
Kwaku Eric, who was beaten to coma and later died at the Abirem Government Hospital, left behind a pregnant wife and two infants who are currently struggling to survive.
He suffered this ill fate when he questioned why the thugs were attacking a roasted corn seller who they believed acted as an informant for Sikadwaso Global Limited.
The total neglect of the pregnant woman and his children by the Oda Manhene has angered the Northern community in the area which have sworn to unleash fire and brimstone on Akyem Amenam if they don’t see reasonable steps been taken to bring the killers of the Okada man to justice.
The group, which took to a local radio station to announce their intent threatened further that no amount of peace talks would calm their nerves if significant and calculated steps are not taken to end the activities of the Chester Gold Enterprise gang.
The inhabitants blame the Oda Manhene for the activities of the gang and some Chinese miners brought into Akyem Amenam.
APPEAL
The constant mayhem visited on the Akyem Amenam community arising from the constant threats being breathed on the owners of Sikadwaso Global Limited which have been issued a license by the Minerals Commission is causing the community to live in fear.
This fear is further heightened by the threat of reprisal attacks on the indigenes by the Northern community over the death of Kwaku Eric, the Okada man who was killed the gang.
The inhabitants of Akyem Amenam have, therefore, called on the Interior Minister, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the President to come to their aid.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
