George Krobea Asante, the Deputy National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been filmed pleading for the reversal of a curse invoked against him by Ankobeahene of Noyem Agye-Nyame Kofi Kingsley also a miner at Akyem Akoase area in Birmingham North district in Eastern Region.

The incident occurred after Krobea Asante, also known as Gambo, claimed he had never engaged in illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey, which angered some community members.

The Ankobeahene called upon the river deity to curse Krobea Asante, invoking death if he had ever been involved in or benefited from galamsey.

Fearing for his life, Krobea Asante reportedly confessed his involvement in illegal mining to the local chiefs and requested clemency and the reversal of the curse.

Osabarima Gyansi Kode Aduako, the chief of Akyem Akoase, confirmed to Starr News that the initial rituals to lift the curse had been performed, with further ceremonies planned at the riverside on Thursday.

“It is indeed true. He was protesting against some illegal miners working in his area. He vowed not to allow them to work. So the illegal miners told him if he is pretending he has never engaged in galamsey and had money from it then he is invoking the river deity to kill him. If it is the other way round that, he(the illegal miner) is making false allegations against him then he should also be struck dead,” the chief explained.

He added “So a few days later, he rushed to the palace to confess and pleaded that rituals are performed to reverse the curse. So we have done the first part. We will go to the riverside on Thursday to perform the last ritual to reverse the curse”.

Ghana’s environment has been severely affected by illegal mining, leading to significant land degradation and river pollution. Despite government efforts, including military interventions, the issue persists.

Accusations have been levelled against some government and NPP officials, alleging their involvement in galamsey activities.

Krobea Asante in March 2023, slammed the NDC for undermining galamsey.

“Nonetheless, the main opposition party in Ghana, NDC, and their national executives led by the incompetent John Mahama in their desperation for power are seriously working against the efforts of government in the fight against galamsey. This conduct of John Mahama and his reckless NDC must be condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians,” Mr Krobea Asante said on a program on Kessben FM.

“Until we all appreciate and become conscious of the fact that the fight against galamsey requires our collective efforts, our strong desire to preserve our water bodies and the environment can never be met. Nana Addo and the NPP can’t win this battle alone,” he added.