The Paramount Chief of the Adansi Traditional Council, Opegyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II is reported to have escaped an assassination attempt after preventing illegal miners from invading a concession at Hweremoase in the Adansi Asokwa District of the Ashanti Region.
According to reports, the Chief had intervened in a misunderstanding between a large-scale mining firm and a group of illegal miners.
Reports indicate that the Chief’s decision not to allow the illegal miners to invade a concession sparked an outrage.
According to the Adansi Traditional Council he was nearly lynched on June 15 while returning home from an event.
The miners who were unpleased with the outcome of the Chief’s decision organised about 150 youths to attack him on his way home, a situation the Fomena Traditional Council fully holds the miners responsible.
Disclosing the story to the media on June 16, the spokesperson for the Adanse Traditional Council, also a sub chief, Nana Kwaku Kwakye (Akwamuhene) described the development as disturbing.
“It was horrible to see these blood-thirsty irate youths chase Nana with clubs, wanting to kill him. All because he has taken a strong stance against galamsey. No chief or elder dare lead any of these boys to the palace to apologise; it won’t work” he fumed.
Illegal mining is rife in parts of the Ashanti Region.
This is the second time a high-profile person is being attacked in Ghana’s second populated region.
On June 5, the Executive Director of the Minerals Development Fund together with some journalists were held hostage by illegal miners at Akonfere in the Atwima Mponua district of the Ashanti Region.
By Evans Nkum
