Don’t interfere in arrangements between chiefs and Exton Cubic - Youth warn government

Youth in the Nyinahi in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have warned government to stay away from interfering in arrangement between traditional rulers in the area and Exton Cubic Group Limited to mine at Nhyinahini bauxite concession.

“We want jobs. ….we want jobs”, they chanted warning the Ashanti Region Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah and their District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. William Darko to immediately release the mining equipment belonging to the company.

“They should release the equipment to them now…..They should do so immediately so they can employ us to us as workers”, vowing to take the laws into their hands if nothing positive is heard from government.

Earlier, traditional rulers in the district led by the paramount chief of Nkawie Panin, Nana Kusi Amankwa Marfo II at a press briefing cleared media reportage Exton Cubic Group Limited does not have requisite legal mining license to mine in the Tano-Offin forest reserve.

The chiefs denied claims they were unaware of the presence of the company, owned by Ibrahim Mahama, younger brother of former President John Mahama.

“As custodians of the Nyinahini bauxite concession, we have had several encounters with Exton Cubic Group their plans to prospect here from 2015”, he revealed.

“The Exton Cubic Group Limited also owns 58% of the Nyinahi bauxite concession not 80% or 85%”, Nana Kusi Amankwa Marfo II told journalist at his palace.

“Assertion that the minerals are being mine by a stranger, Ibrahim Mahama, a brother of former President John Mahama is also false”, he fumed together with other chiefs in the area.

Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah together with the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area led some residents to seize mining equipment belonging to Exton Cubic Group Limited which were on its way to the district.

The local authorities claim they were unaware of their presence in the district despite Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Hon. Peter Amewu admission he was fully aware and that the company was operating within the remits of the law.

However, addressing media men, Nana Kusi Amankwa Marco II said: “as custodians of the Nyinanhi bauxite concession, we have had several encounters with the office of Exton Cubic Group their plans to prospect here from 2015”, he revealed.

“They are not strangers to us. We have been dealing with them from 2015 …they are not into illegal mining too. They have their documents to mine in the district and we have also access to them”, the paramount chief stated.

“They have Asantehene’s support and our support as well. …what they are coming to will benefit Ghanaians and our people”, he pointed out