Accra, Nov 12, GNA - The Chiefs and people of Etwebo-Akoti in the Western Region have denied allegations of confusion in the community, following a national forum by the National Coalition on Mining (NCOM) held in Akoti in October.

They also dismissed claims that they had agreed to an out of court settlement on matters of compensation currently before the law courts. A joint press statement issued by the Chiefs and NCOM and presented by Nana Yaw Gyamu II, members of the community accused Consumer Watch Initiative Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, for spreading baseless reports of confusion in Etwebo and writing the said letter asking for mediation without their knowledge.

The letter dated 28th October 2009 and signed by one Nana Opare, Coordinator of Consumer Watch Initiative Ghana, extended invitation to the Chairman of the Peace Council, Accra and copied to the Technical Director for Mining at the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources and NCOM for mediation in the on-going court matter between some members of the community and Chirano Gold Mines Limited.

"We deny knowledge of the letter and its authors. We have not at any point in time asked for an out of court settlement. Indeed, if there is need to call for an out-of-court settlement, the first point of call shall be our lawyers and not Consumer Watch Initiative Ghana, which had no knowledge and history of the case," Nana Gyamu II told journalists on Thursday. He said the people took serious exception to the action of Consumer Watch Initiative Ghana as it impugned the integrity of the chiefs and that of the lawyers.

Besides, we view the group's action as an attempt to fragment the people and disrupt the peace and unity currently prevailing in the area. Nana Gyamu II, called on Consumer Watch Initiative Ghana, to desist from such acts of "falsehood and misinformation" as they have the potential of fragmenting communities and weakening their bargaining power with mining companies and state institutions. 13 Nov.09