The Overlord of Akyem State, His Royal Majesty Oseadeiyo Dr. Frimpong Manso IV, has denied allegations of involvement in illegal mining (galamsey) and arrest.
This comes after media allegations that the Akyem Kotoku Overlord, along with some Chinese nationals, was arrested for illegal mining at Akyem Amenam in the Birim Noth Municipality of the Eastern Region.
Speaking to the media, His Royal Majesty Oseadeiyo Dr. Frimpong Manso IV stated that he has not been arrested and is not involved in illegal mining.
He explained that a certain individual, Mr. George Narh, is attempting to take something that doesn’t belong to him.
According to the King, in 2014, Mr. George Narh together with some Chinese Nationals came to Akyem Amenam to look for a concession to work on.
Four concessions were given out to the Amenam community to prevent them from working close to Newmont’s concession.
Out of the four concessions, one was given to Nana Karikari, while the remaining three were taken by the Akyem Amenam people.
The King stated that Mr. Narh promised to handle the paperwork for the community to protect them from government authority harassment.
However, Mr. Narh allegedly agreed to work on two concessions for the people and take one, but instead registered all three concessions in his name, which was not supposed to happen.
The King claimed that Mr. Narh used the police to arrest members of the Amenam community, who are the rightful owners of the concessions.
Furthermore, the King alleged that in 2022, Mr. Narh went to Accra to process paperwork for a concession near the Pra River, close to the Omanhene’s concession.
The Omanhene intervened, and the authorities stopped the issuance of the license.
However, on January 3, 2025, just before the previous government left office, they issued the license to Mr. Narh, allowing him to mine in the area, which the King described as unlawful.
Another license was issued to Mr. Narh to mine in a forest, which the Kotoku Manhene deemed unlawful.
He explained that standard procedure requires engagement with chiefs and the community to reach an agreement before issuing a mining license, but this wasn’t done in this case.
The King emphasized that proper protocols were disregarded.
According to the King, the proper procedure for issuing a mining license was not followed, as there was no engagement with the chiefs and the community to reach an agreement.
He called on the Akyem Kotoku citizens to protect their property, which their forefathers fought for.
The King emphasized that the Akyem Kotoku throne is a revered institution, which is why he left his engagements abroad to come and protect it.
He warned that some individuals do not have the state’s best interests at heart and are planning to bring about its downfall.
He urged the people to hold the Kotoku state in high esteem.
He emphasized that as the King, he won’t allow anyone to tarnish the image of the Kotoku state, which has a powerful seat.
Nana Kwame Akomea, the Akyem Kotoku Akwansrahene, also addressed journalists, calling for professionalism and fairness in their reporting.
He stated that the Kotoku Manhene is engaged in proper mining, like other companies, and has not been arrested by the police as speculated.
He urged the Police Service to stop worrying the people of Amonam and allow them to go about their normal duties.
No
Report by Raskorsa.