No mining cash received from destooled chief-Ofori Panin Fie refutes claims
The Asamang Tamfoehene, Osabarima Kwame Koh XI, says Ofori Panin Fie has never received any money from destooled Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe, Nana Boakye Darkwa.
The Benkumhene had demanded a refund of an amount of Ghc115,000 mining proceeds he claimed were given to the Ofori Panin Fie.
This was after he was removed as a traditional chief for his involvement in illegal mining(galamsey) by Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, October 30, Nana Boakye Darkwa explained, “As part of a corporate social responsibility agreement the community has with the miners, which Xtra Gold is privy to, some mandatory monies were paid by the miners and which is lodged in an accredited account in the name of the community.
“Asamang -Tamfoe recognizing and acknowledging the throne of the Ofori Panin forked out 115,000 Ghana cedis on 7/10/2022 as goodwill money to Ofori Panin Fie.”
But Osabarima Kwame Koh XI has refuted the claim by the Benkumhene, adding that the demand by Benkumhene is “palpably erroneous”.
He said the move by the Benkumhene was meant to dent the image of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
“I am Osabarima Kwame Koh XI Asamang Tamfoehene, and refuting the allegations made by the Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe against my overlord Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin. The claim that an amount of money – Ghc115k has been sent to Ofori Panin Fie is palpably erroneous. Nothing like that had happened. Whatever was put out there to tarnish and impugn the reputation of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin is not correct,” Osabarima stated in a rejoinder.
He continued: “The Benkumhene’s utterances are not coming from Asamang Tamfoe palace. I and my other stool elders are not connected or involved with the spurious allegations churned out by the Benkumhene.
“I am very sorry and ashamed of the discourteous utterances that were uttered unashamedly by the Benkumhene. I unequivocally distance myself from that unruly behaviour. The necessary rituals would be performed to destool him accordingly.”
Meanwhile, the Benkumhene of Asaman-Tamfoe, Nana Boakye Darkwa, has denied allegations of involvement in illegal mining and pointed out that the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, broke the traditional norm by destooling him.
He has, therefore, dared Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II to provide evidence of his allegations.
“If Okyehene has concluded that I am an illegal miner, then I urge him to report me to the relevant national and appropriate institutions for redress,” he stated in a rebuttal press conference on Thursday, December 1.