According to the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, he will not give up trying to punish any Chief inside the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area who engages in unlawful mining, also known as galamsey.
The destoolment of Nana Boakye Darkwa, Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe, has been ordered by Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin due to unlawful mining.
Following Nana Boakye Darkwa, the Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe, who testified before the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council in Kyebi, admitting his involvement in unlawful mining in Asamang Tamfoe.
This came about after some locals who identified themselves as Concerned Citizens of Asamang Tamfoe petitioned the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council on November 9, 2022, charging the Chief with illegal mining, river pollution, and farmland degradation endangering food security and small-holder farmers’ livelihoods.
The appeal was filed a few weeks after illegal miners in Asamang Tamfoe clashed with the Okyeman Environmental Taskforce during a community-wide anti-galamsey operation, resulting in gunfire on the streets.
Following this, on October 6, 2022, the Benkumhene held a press conference where he dared to violently clash with the Okyeman Environmental taskforce, which was led by Chief of Akyem Apapam, Osabarima Apagya Ofori IV.
The Chief of Asamang Tamfoe Osabarima Kwame Koh II and the Benkumhene Nana Boakye Darkwa were summoned by the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council in response to the petition, and they appeared before it on November 21, 2022, for a hearing.
On a stone known as “Bonsamboo” near the forecourt of the Ofori Panin Fie, the proper customary procedures were carried out by Okyenhene’s Chief Linguist, Okyeame Antwi Boasiako, to symbolize the destoolment of the Benkumhene.
The Chief of Asamang Tamfoe, Nana Kwame Koh II, the Kyebi Executive Council, and other participants witnessed the performance of the traditional rites.
He identified himself as the Chairman of the Community Mining Committee at Asamang Tamfoe and Benkumhene of the region, who hold the only authority to oversee community mining in the region, at the news conference.
According to reports, Nana Darkwa provoked the Asamang Tamfoe youth during an altercation between the Okyeman Environmental Taskforce and some of the local youth that resulted in the occasional gunfire in the region a few months ago.
He had questioned the competence of Okogyeman Apedja Fori, the Apapamhene who also serves as the commander of the Okyeman Environmental Taskforce, and the Kyebi Divisional Police Command in dealing with the threat posed by illegal mining in the region.
The commissioning of any community mining in Tamfoe was denied by the Minerals Commission, the Judicial Council stated at the Kyebi conference. Additionally, it adds that no one has been named by the Minerals Commission to lead the local community mining module.
According to the report, Nana Darkwa earlier turned down an invitation from the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council due to his behavior and flagrant insubordination towards the Okyenhene.
Nana Darkwa apologized profusely to the Okyenhene at the Judicial Council meeting, but the Okyenhene, after hearing about his admissions of unlawful mining and calling the Okyeman Taskforce’s bluff, issued a resultant order for his destoolment.
According to his behavior, the Benkumhene is unfit to be a chief, insisted the Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa.
Amos Osagyefo Ofori Panin issued a warning to Chiefs in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, advising them to follow this development and refrain from encouraging or participating in illicit mining activities or else face destoolment.
