The Management of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly(KMA) has denied media reports suggesting that Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang was among persons that graced the occasion of the swearing-in and induction of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi.

In a statement issued by the Assembly and signed by the Public Relations Officer(PRO) of the Metropolitan Assembly, Godwin Okumah Nyame said the allegation is a misrepresentation and false.

The statement noted:”The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly would therefore use this opportunity to correct the misrepresentation by indicating that the said woman who was at the swearing-in ceremony and induction of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive is called QI Ying and not Aisha as it is being purported in the media.

It must also be stated that QI Ying is the Chief Executive Officer of Africa China Investment Group. She educates Africans and Chinese about investment opportunities in both countries and not someone who is involved in Galamsey. Dr. Nana Kyei Baffour the Principal Consultant to the Africa China Investment Group was accompanied by Qi Ying to the programme.”

The Assembly has therefore advised those behind such publications to check their facts well as those reports largely suggest his association with illegal miners.

“The Metropolitan Chief Executive also assures the general public and all the major stakeholders fighting against galamsey in the country that he supports the fight against the galamsey menace and will not compromise the position of his government led by His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo,” the statement said.

Below is the full statement by KMA

Ref. No ZA 104/172/01 10TH MAY, 2017

PRESS RELEASE: DISCLAIMER

The Management of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) categorically deny all allegations made in the media that Asia Huang, alias “Aisha” popularly known as “Yaa Asantewaa”, a Chinese lady who the media descriebd as powerful and connected to some top security personnel and Government officals, who was arrested recently for her involvement in the Galamsey activities in the Ashanti Region, was at the swearing-in ceremony and induction of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi. The allegation is misrepresentation and has no basis.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly would therefore use this opportunity to correct the misrepresentation by indicating that the said woman who was at the swearing-in ceremony and induction of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive is called QI Ying and not Aisha as it is being purported in the media.

It must also be stated that QI Ying is the Chief Executive Officer of Africa China Investment Group. She educates Africans and Chinese about investment opportunities in both countries and not someone who is involved in Galamsey. Dr. Nana Kyei Baffour the Principal Consultant to the Africa China Investment Group was accompanied by Qi Ying to the programme.

KMA wants to assure the good people of Kumasi and beyond that the allegation that Aisha was at the swearing –in ceremony and induction of Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi is not only misleading but also not true.

For further emphasis, QI Ying arrived in Ghana on the 26th of March 2017 and has since returned to China on the 20th April 2017. The allegations are therefore an attempt to damage the hard won reputation of Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi. Those making such allegation should therefore check their facts. The Metropolitan Chief Executive also assures the general public and all the major stakeholders fighting against galamsey in the country that he supports the fight against the galamsey menace and will not compromise the position of his government led by His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.

The pictures attached to this press release are the pictures of Qi Ying and “Aisha” for comparison and further clarification on the trending issue on the media.

Cc: ALL MEDIA HOUSES

GODWIN OKUMAH NYAME (PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER) For: METRO CHIEF EXECUTIVE