Chiefs of Tano-Offin holds accountable the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) of ambiguity in its operations and plans as far as the mining of bauxite in the Nyinahin forest reserve in the Ashanti Region is concerned.
In a statement of protest jointly signed by Nana Tabbri Gyansa III, Mpasaso Omanhene -I; Nana Kusi Amankwaa Marfo II, Nkawie Paninhene; and Nana Apofo Twumasi III, Mpasaso 11hene, said: “In principle, we are not against the mining of the bauxite” but noted that the “steps taken so far by GIADEC have not been transparent”, adding: “This has further left us in the dark. Our only source of information has been the media”.
The chiefs, in a statement copied to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President Nana Akufo-Addo; the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy; and the Board Chairman of GIADEC, have made seven demands of GIADEC and the government, and lauded their voice for bauxite mining disruption in the area, if they are not well heard.
Other than demanding the project name, ‘Nyinahin bauxite’ is changed to represent all the communities within the bauxite enclave, the chiefs also said since Tano-Offin holds 70% of the bauxite deposits, “We, therefore, strongly call for the inclusion of our respective representatives on the board as a matter of urgency”.
Furthermore, the chiefs say they “strongly call for the position of the chief executive officer of GIADEC to be preserved for people from Tano-Offin area since we hold 70% of the bauxite deposits” and also demanded that one of the four concessions is “to be unconditionally reserved for us to buy”.
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