Osabarima Ankomah Bempong, the Akyem Kotoku Abontendom Hene, has clarified that he is engaged in legal mining, not illegal mining (galamsey).
He was arrested on May 1, 2023, along with three Yemeni nationals, on allegations of illegal mining in Asomdwe, a suburb of Akyem Oda.
The Minerals Commission and Artisanal Small-scale Miners (ASM) taskforce made the arrest following a tip-off and handed them over to the Oda Police.
His mining equipment, including two excavators and payloaders, was impounded and taken to the Akyem Oda Number Nine Police station.
He was granted bail and later appeared in court in Koforidua, where the court dismissed the case and ordered the return of his equipment.
Speaking to the media while retrieving his equipment, Osabarima emphasized that he possesses all the necessary documents to operate a legal mining firm, stating that the site he was about to work on was allocated to him by GCD Akwatia.
He alleged that the report to the Mineral Commission and police was made by individuals opposed to the Kotokumanhene Oseadieyo Dr. Frimpong Manso, due to his affiliation with the Kotokumanhene.
Osabarima expressed his desire to create employment opportunities for the local community through his mining firm and encouraged other chiefs to venture into legal mining.
Report by Samuel Quao.