Elders advise Anumso Gold- LL Timbers

The Elders and People of Banka have sent a strong signal to companies to stop transacting business with Nana Twiampomah III, Bankahene in the Name of Banka till the final determination of the High court suit filed against the chief for allegedly embezzling community development funds.

According to Mr Isaac Obeng, elder and Nana Yeboah Okoh, former Regent of the Town, it has come to their notice that companies like Anumso Gold Limited a subsidiary of Gold Plat mining and Logs and Lumber Limited(LL Timbers) are engaged in one business or the other with the chief over Gold and Timber Concessions in Banka .

“We urge these companies to halt their business transaction with the chief till the final determination of the court case at the Fast Track High court. Otherwise we will not consider any transaction between them and the chief after the ruling if they refuse our advice. Besides, we will inform the sitting Judge about these activities and call for their appearance at the court to explain why they are still dealing with the chief on behalf of the people of the Town, they stated in an interview.

According to the elders, it is forbidding in their town for one person to collect development funds on behalf of the entire people and transfer it into his private account for personal use.

That is what we are fighting against. That is why we are in court to ensure transparency in everything we do to help promote development in our town.

According to Nana Yeboah Okoh, he is aware companies like Anumso Gold Limited is undertaken a feasibility study of a Gold concession in Banka while LL Timbers are also operating a Timber concession in the town. “We have no problem with them owning the concession. However we think it is fair and appropriate that community and social development funds they have allocated to the people of Banka must not be made to go into an individual’s pocket. The money promised the community should not be paid directly to the Bankahene but a community development account. Payment of every pesewa should be made transparent and available for all the people in the community to witness.” he noted

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Nana Osabarima Twiampomah III, Chief of Banka in the Asante Akim South District, is being held for misappropriating 150,000.00 belonging to his community. Hearing is scheduled for July 16 2013.

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The money misappropriated was a lease sum paid by Gulf Coast Resources Limited, a mining company, to the people of Banka after using their land for mining 10 years ago.

Charged with stealing, 52-year old Nana Twiampomah pleaded not guilty when he appeared on 4th September 2012.The chief was admitted to bail in the sum GH¢50,000 cedis with one surety to be justified after he was remanded into prison custody for one week by his Lordship Justice Charles Quist, a High Court Judge . The surety should deposit a title deed equivalent to the principal sum of 0,000 to the Court's registry.

Additionally, Nana Twiampomah was made to sign a bond not to travel outside the country until the matter was disposed off.

According to the prosecutor, Mr Matthew Amponsah, in the year 2000, Gulf Coast Resources Limited (GCRL), acquired a mining lease for a period of 10 years from the Minerals Commission to operate a gold mining on Banka lands. The mining lease however expired in 2010.

When the lease expired, GCRL wrote a letter to the Minister of Land, Forestry and Natural Resources for the renewal of their mining lease on Banka lands. The community spearhead by the accused person, vehemently challenged the renewal of the lease.

Mr Amponsah said in a letter dated June 10, 2010, the accused person and the people of Banka petitioned the Ministry of lands, Forestry and Natural Resources, protesting the renewal of the lease because GCRL had failed to fulfill its corporate social responsibility for the past 10 years.

Following this challenge, Mr Amponsah said GCRL entered into negotiations with the accused and the people of Banka. During the said negotiation, the company promised to pay 0,000 to the community as monies for development.

The accused and people, therefore, in a letter dated on January 13, 2011, withdrew their petition and the mining lease was renewed for another 10 years beginning from 2011.Mr Amponsah said after the mining lease was renewed, GCRL paid the 0,000 and transferred their rights to another mining company known as Banka Gold Limited.

Prosecution said GCRL paid the amount as per Stanbic Bank Cheque number 534403 on June 14, 2011 and the accused acknowledged receiving the money and issued a signed receipt on June 14, 2011.Mr Amponsah said accused failed to inform his people after receiving the money. Despite the several demands by the people over the payment, accused denied receiving the money and as such reported the matter to the Police.

In the accused person's statement to the Police, he admitted receiving the money, saying the money was for his personal use and for the community. Accused person, prosecution said, explained further that he used some of the money to defray his legal expenses when he engaged GCRL in a legal battle.