Audio Attachment: Listen Simon Osei-Mensah on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' |
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah has asked Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, to produce documents indicating that he approved the mining of bauxite in the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve.
He said until he sees those documents, he is not going to release the seized equipment.
The police through the Atwima Mponua District Chief Executive (DCE) impounded equipment belonging to Engineers and Planners who have been engaged by Exton Cubic Group Limited.
According to the Ashanti Regional Minister the equipment were seized because of improper documentation.
Mr. Amewu’s Ministry, through the Forestry Commission, recently issued a license to Exton Cubic Group Limited, to mine bauxite in the Ashanti Region.
However Mr Simon Osei-Mensah does not understand why the Minister will give such authorization when there is an embargo on illegal mining activities.
He said in an interview on Peace FM's morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Tuesday that President Akufo- Addo’s aim of fighting illegal mining in the country will come to nought if ‘we allow people to start mining’.
“Until we get the document we are not releasing them (equipment) . . . I am not taking anything verbal. I need all the documents; item by item and then we will review it. When everything is okay, we will release them. Until the ban (on small scale mining) is over, if we allow people to start mining, the efforts of the President in fighting illegal mining will come to nought. Why the rush, why can’t we wait for the ban to be over. The Minister should bring the documents or any agreement he had with the company . . .,” he stated.
The Lands Ministry through the Forestry Commission issued a license to Exton Cubic Group Limited to mine bauxite in the region on June 20, 2017. The mining company in turn engaged Engineers and Planners (E&P), a company owned by Mr Mahama, to use its equipment to undertake a prospective service.
But hours after E&P moved its men and logistics to site, the police through the Atwima Mponua District Chief Executive (DCE) impounded its equipment, citing improper documentation.
In a statement released by Exton Cubic Group Limited and signed by its Managing Director, Augustus Amegashie, a portion read, "We are yet to receive any official communication from the authorities concerned as to why our sub-contractor's trucks and equipment have been impounded."
"In the meantime, our Lawyers are engaged in talks with the police in the area over the issue and it is our hope that the police will release the impounded trucks as soon as possible to forestall any further pecuniary losses to us."
"In conclusion, we would like to emphasize our commitment to the observance of the laws of the mining sector of Ghana. As a company, we are mindful of the regulations that govern the mining sector of Ghana. We have at all times endeavored to abide by these rules and regulations and we shall continue to do so in our operations."
Legal action
Exton Cubic Group Limited has threatened to take legal action against the Ashanti Regional Minister if he does not release the equipment belonging to Engineers and Planners owned by Ibrahim Mahama.
“We know that this government believes in the tenets of the rule of law; that you just cannot impound and seize the [equipment] so our lawyers are already involved. Already we are facing a lot of financial losses. We are going to go through the legally laid down process,” Communications Officer of Exton Cubic Group Limited, Samuel Gyamfi, told Joy News.
However, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah says he is not perturbed.
According to him, “they can do and say whatever they want to say; what I am saying is that the minister should bring the documents; what is difficult about this . . . it’s one too many; you should know there is a Regional Minister, there are District Chief Executives (and so in such situations) inform them so that when something happens they will be able to defend it.”
Tano-Offin Forest Reserve
The Tano-Offin Forest Reserve which is located in Kyereyaaso in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, is a Globally Scientific Biodiversity Area which is strictly protected, according to the Forestry Commission.
The Offin River passes through this forest reserve which has a total area of 41,392ha (413.92km2). It is the 4th largest Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA) in Ghana and has been classified as a protected area because of its significant biological importance to human existence.
Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Bauxite is a mineral which can be exploited after you have conducted intensive feasibility study on the project to determine (1) the quantity on the ground (2) the method of mining (3) method of transporting to coastline for shipment and (4) the financial modelling to determine the viability of the project. Unlike gold, bauxite cannot be processed on Site, it has to be transported to a harbour built purposely for bauxite Shipment. The condition of the current Kumasi – Accra road cannot be used for transporting bauxite to the coastline for shipment. So why mining bauxite. As I speak, a courseway is being built into the sea in Guinea for mining and shipment of bauxite. That is proper planning. Just imagine how Akwatia bauxite is being transported from Akwatia to Takoradi, destroying the very road Government has used our taxes to build. Akwatia was designed to transport using the rail system but look at the mess going on now. The Government share in Akwatia cannot be enough to build that road so you see Ghana is losing. The investor who will be chosen to mine the bauxite should have capacity and money to build railway from Kumasi to Accra for bauxite shipment and also for public use. So we need to take our time to do things right and stop rushing to destroy the very mineral God has given to Ghana. Our ministers should seek for technical knowledge before giving our minerals to so called investors so that Ghana could benefit.
how can you bring one district one factory when you already attacking indegenous companies and banks ...if this administration will survive the test of time people like Ken Agyapong must not be listen to because i only see revenge and anger in his thoughts and now he's asking Chairman wontume and others to attack Ibrahim Mahama ....look if this is the only way to go then Npp will fail because we do not govern a civilised world like this ....we need a collective effort of all and sundry to come on board to make our country a better place to live. Now the issue is about who is richer than who and how best people can use governmental machinary to bring the person down....You people are really sick and have nothing good to over because there is is no way you can gvern a country like this.
Now you see how you people need Ashanti's to live, work and make money in Ghana. You insult us but without our many recourses you will be nothing. If you think otherwise, go to bole and mine over there.
Can Agyemang or Osei get such concessions in the NORTH or VOLTA regions? Appenteng SANGO LAGOON SALT case should be seriously pondered by AKANS , especially Ashantis.
NPP will be their own enemy. So the minister could not wait for his own 6 months freeze on all mining to elapse for the country to see the forward? Secondly, the minister could not investigate the rumor of the allege illegal acquisition of the bauxite in the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve by Exton Cubic Group Limited? of which other people by then treating to go to court? After doing so well with the fight against galamcy,You turn round to grant permit to Exton Cubic Group Limited to mine bauxite. My question to the minister and forestry commission is, have they received fat envelope to do that or what? Amewu need to be change because I think after receiving the praise for a good fight,he is becoming comfortable leader in his ministry and we should not sit down to lose the galamcy fight because of this.
GOD BLESS YOU MR MINISTER.AMEWU AND SIR JOHN MUST BE SACK.HOW CAN SIR JOHN ISSUE A PERMIT TO AN ILLEGAL THING THAT NEEDS PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL.
This is not wisdom, Old man. This can be done diplomatically without the unnecessary attention created.
This minister is defending that illegal mining action because of th ewe people involved in the company! I urge my people in Nyinahin to resist this day robbery by mahama and his corrupt family companies! They could go to the volta and northern regions and mine there, but not on our land, period!
Good job Mr. minister never ever release the equipments seized, to hell with Ibrahim
Do you see his mouth? It was purposely designed for arrogance.