![Mpuasu-Japekrom Traditional Council refutes media reports, threatens legal action](http://www.ghananewsagency.org/assets/images/xsocial-council-galamsey-1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.KgXIeN2eed.jpg)
By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Sunyani, Aug. 16, GNA - The Mpuasu- Japekrom Traditional Council in Jaman South District of Brong-Ahafo Region has refuted media reports that its President Okatakyie Amoa Aturu Nkonkonkyia II, is engaged in illegal mining activities in the area.
They described the said report as lies, defamatory and total fabrication made by the "Drobo Traditional Council with the intention to soil the hard won image of the Paramount Chief".
"There is no illegal mining, galamsey activity or any form of mining anywhere on the Mpuasu-Jaoekrom stool lands", the Council said.
At a news conference in Sunyani, the Council asked the media to be circumspect in their reportage, ensure credibility and protect the integrity of their outlet by verifying the authenticity of their information before making conclusions.
They also called on the Daily Guide Newspaper, Kiss FM, and Peace FM, local private radio stations to retract the story or face legal action.
Barimah Dr Adjei-Henne Aframfo I, the Atimpimhene of Japekrom-Mpuasu Traditional Area, the spokesman for the Council, said they are committed to support government in the national fight against galamsey and all practices that destroy forest resources, water bodies and the environment.
He was flanked by other members of the council including Nana Asare Kontimako, the Acting President of the Council, Nana Takyi Mensa, Akwamuhene and Na Ameyaa Bour, Atimpimhemaa.
Describing Okatakyie Amoa Aturu Nkonkonkyia II as a leading crusader against pollution of the environment and a health professional, Barimah Dr Aframfo I, said there is no way the paramount chief could engage in or facilitate galamsey activities as this would thwart government efforts at arresting the national concern.
He urged state institutions, agencies and government officials dealing with the Drobo Traditional Council on matters regarding Mpuasu-Japekrom stool lands to be cautious.
Barimah Dr Aframfo I, expressed unhappiness that the Drobo Traditional Council was promoting lawlessness, indiscipline, impunity and raising false alarms and thereby undermining the procedures and protocols of state development.
He declared the Council's unflinching support for any attempt by government to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of all Ghanaians.
Throwing more light on allegations against the Omanhene, Nana Asare Kontimako, the Acting President of the Council, said Symphony Limited approached the Council in 2016 to inform them that it had secured a license to prospect for minerals at both Jaman North and Jaman South Districts.
Per the license, the working area for the company in the Jaman South covered some locations on the Mpuasu-Japekrom stool lands.
Subsequently, Nana Asare said the company produced letters and documents dating as far back 2011 from the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Lands Commission and Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands in support of its claim that it had been given license to prospect for minerals in the area.
"With the coming into power of the new government and its efforts to curb the menace of illegal mining, the Traditional Council further requested Symphony Limited to present a confirmation letter from government concerning the status of their license", he said.
Nana Asare said the Minerals Commission subsequently forwarded a copy of a new letter to the Council confirming the status of the company and this revealed that " Symphony Limited is the holder of two prospecting licenses located at Baabiraneha and Adomesu in the Brong-Ahafo Region".
This notwithstanding, the Acting President said no mining activity either legal or illegal had started in the area and assured the general public that the Council would resist any galamsey activity within its paramountcy.
"This is an old trick by the Drobo Traditional Council to make us unpopular but it will not work", Nana Asare said.
He said the Drobohene sought to claim lands and townships of the Mpuasu-Japekrom traditional council through litigation initiated in 1996, but the Supreme Court ruled against their claim.
GNA
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