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Okyenhene demands immediate apology from BNI

This comes on the back of a BNI report which mentioned the chief and other top-notched politicians as being actively involved in galamsey.

Okyenhene Ofori Panyin Amoatia

The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has demanded an immediate apology from the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) for wrongfully accusing him of engaging in illegal mining activities.

But a statement by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council issued by its Public Affairs Director, Mr Daniel Ofori-Atta, said it is not happy with the conduct of the BNI in the matter.

“The BNI cannot fabricate stories and draw conclusions on the basis of their own invention. The report has seriously maligned the Okyenhene and the Ofori Panin Stool,” it said.

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The Council said it believed that the report was deliberately leaked to undermine the dignity of the Ofori Panin Stool.

It said it had already informed the Ghana Police Service that the Okyeman Environment Brigade had been disbanded and that a purported activity by a group calling itself “Okyenhene Task Force” could not be related to the Ofori Panin Palace.

The Council added that the BNI should have focused on the failure of the security agencies to fight the menace and not to “recklessly accuse the Ofori Panin Stool of complicity in the galamsey menace”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has clearly come out to indicate that the Okyenhene and his palace are not involved in any illegal mining in the Kibi area.

“The Okyenhene’s Foundation has rather been at the forefront of the fight against illegal mining and the ministry will continue to urge the Okyenhene, his foundation and other traditional authorities to continue supporting this necessary fight to save the environment,” a statement issued by the ministry in Accra said.

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The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has said that it is grateful to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John-Peter Amewu, for coming out to set the records straight on the matter.

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