The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu has stated emphatically that the media misinterpreted a BNI report when they linked the Okyenhene’s palace to activities of illegal miners in Kibi area.
The minister in a statement pointed out that “The said BNI report only recorded a said perception against the Okyenhene’s Palace. It did not accuse the Okyenhene or the Palace of being complicit in illegal mining activities.
“Checks by this Ministry indicate that the last known environmental protection task force from the Palace was disbanded over three (3) years ago.”
Below is the full statement
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has taken notice of media publications that the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has in a report mentioned the Okyenhene’s Palace as “perceived to be behind illegal mining activities in the Kibi area.”
Media publications further reported that members of an anti-illegal mining task force purportedly linked to the Okyenhene’s Palace “allegedly extort monies from illegal miners in the area.”
The Ministry hereby informs the general public as follows:
The said BNI report only recorded a said perception against the Okyenhene’s Palace. It did not accuse the Okyenhene or the Palace of being complicit in illegal mining activities.
Checks by this Ministry indicate that the last known environmental protection task force from the Palace was disbanded over three (3) years ago.
To the best of this Ministry’s Knowledge, the Okyenhene’s Foundation has rather been at the forefront of the fight against illegal mining and the Ministry will continue to urge the Okyenhene, his Foundation and other traditional authorities to continue supporting this necessary fight to save the environment.
The Ministry welcomes the support of responsible community action against illegal mining and thanks the general public and the media for their total support and commitment to the fight against illegal mining.
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