The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has destooled the Gyasehene of Sabronum, Nana Gyau Baffour Atuonin and two other chiefs for aiding and engaging in illegal mining activities in the area.

The Asantehene on Monday summoned the Gyasehene, Akyeamehene and the Baamuhene to the Manhyia Palace for their involvement in illegal mining activities in the area.

The order for their destoolment followed a review of a petition by a group of concerned individuals from the traditional area, which was without a Paramount Chief.

The petition was publicly read before the Asanteman Council headed by Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace. The petition accused the Gyaasehene of engaging in illegal mining activities and facilitating the menace much to the destruction of the only source of drinking water – River Asuonfou.

The Gyaasehene, Akyeamehene, Baamuhene, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, the Assemblyman and two residents were afforded the opportunity to make their cases before the Council.

Nana Gyau Atuomi denied the allegation and had the Kyeamehene testify in his favour as well. However, the Baamuhene and all others took an entrenched stance against them.

From testimonies gathered, it was found that almost all the traditional authorities in the area had a hand in the illegal act. Some of them were found to have received some funds from the miners.

In his verdict, Otumfuo revealed he had sanctioned an investigation by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) into the allegation of Gyaseehene’s involvement months before the town folks petitioned his Office about it.
The NIB’s report, he noted, implicated the Gyaasehene.

In the stead of Nana Atua who was sanctioned as caretaker, Asantehene elected the Akwamuhene of Sabronum to be in charge of the area until a chief was enstooled. As part of the process to have a chief enstooled, Otumfuo supervised the election of a candidate- one Kofi Asante.

By: Isaac Clottey