Apprehensive atmosphere arises in Gwira
Unfiltered Prose:
A heated spat between conflicting factions within the Gwira Traditional Area of the Nzema East Municipality's Western Region has escalated, as one group urges local mining company, Okobeng Mining, to cease operations in the area.
The Omanhene of Gwira, Awulae Agama Tuagyan II, loud-mouthedly accuses the mining company of breaking the law by engaging in illicit small-scale mining for six years straight, leading to the devastation of cocoa farms and the Ankobra River, the main water source for the residents.
Furthermore, the Omanhene claims that the company's use of harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide caused numerous skin diseases and severe bodily harm to the locals. In addition, the company is accused of failing to compensate farmers for destroyed crops.
However, contradicting the Omanhene's claims, a statement was issued by the Head of the Amankrapanyin family, Nana Alu Menza III, telling the public to disregard the initial assertions by Awulae Agama Tuagyan II, questioning his authority and traditional status as the certified Paramount Chief of Gwira.
According to the Amankrapanyin family head, the Omanhene's claim is currently under dispute at the Sekondi High Court. This implies that the Omanhene doesn't possess sufficient chieftaincy and traditional authority to prohibit Okobeng Mining Company.
However, the acting registrar of Gwira Traditional Council, Theophilus Chuasam, issued a statement urging the public to disregard the Amankrapanyin family's statement challenging the ban on the small-scale mine. It clarified that Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II is still the recognized Omanhene and President of the Gwira Traditional Council, and the ban on the Okobeng Mining Company remains active.
Sources close to the Okobeng Mining Company have denied the allegations and presented several legal documents to prove their legitimacy. This situation remains complex, as it involves both traditional and legal standoffs.
Insights:- The Okobeng Mining Company operates in the Gwira Traditional Area for nearly 25 years without major violations of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006(ACT 703).- Legal documents have been presented to support the operations of the Okobeng Mining Company.- The traditional authority's claim is under dispute at the Sekondi High Court.- Chieftaincy and traditional authority are challenges in the confrontation between Awulae Agama Tuagyan II and the Amankrapanyin family head.- The Gwira Traditional Council remains in support of the ban on the Okobeng Mining Company.
- The heated dispute over the Okobeng Mining Company's operations in the Gwira Traditional Area has reached the courts, as a report surfacing from the Sekondi High Court indicates the traditional authority's claim is under dispute.
- Amidst the ongoing politics surrounding the operations of the Okobeng Mining Company, a policy-and-legislation standpoint offers insight into the matter, with the firm presenting legal documents to prove its legitimacy, given the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (ACT 703) allowing it to operate for nearly 25 years without major violations.
- The complex situation involving the traditional and legal standoffs within the Gwira Traditional Area has spilled over into general news, with the Crime-and-Justice sector inevitable due to the alleged impacts of the mining company's practices on the residents, such as the destruction of cocoa farms, contamination of the Ankobra River, and reports of numerous skin diseases caused by the use of harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide.
