We are fed up of Chinese 'macho men' - Wasa Supanso residents lament

Residents of Wasa Supanso near Wasa Akropong in the Amenfi East District in the Western Region are lamenting over the inhuman behaviour of some macho men in the community.

They complain of been severely beaten, molested and threatened with guns by men who have been paid to give protections to Chinese galamseyers for speaking against the destruction of their only source of water.

Speaking to Hope FM 107.1 morning show hosted by Bishop Oteng Gbortse, a resident of the area, Mr. Mark Sarkodie, revealed that, the Odikro of the community by name Adwoaba Attaa, the Assemblyman and the Unit Committee Chairman have given their houses to the Chinese for accommodation.

He added that anytime the residents try to stop them from destroying their water and cocoa plantations these men rise against the community.

According to Mr Sarkodie, the community is requesting to know whether the Operation Vanguard task force which was created to handle the illegal mining activities in the districts is still at work or the ban on galamsey has been lifted?

He is, therefore, calling for the arrest of the Chinese nationals involved and are appealing to the government to rescue the people of Wasa Supanso from the heartless macho men.

Late this year the same incident occurred in the District and a Ghanaian citizen was allegedly killed by a Chinese national. On this case, Mr. Sarkodie said they won't allow this similar thing to happen to them.

Background

The Takoradi District Court has adjourned the case involving a Chinese businessman, Jian Gen Hai, who shot and killed one Nana Boah, a 29-year old Ghanaian at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region, to December 17, 2017.

The presiding Judge, Thomas K. Ofiedie, adjourned the case after the prosecution team pleaded with the court to give them additional time to gather enough evidence for effective prosecution.

Juan Gen Hai was remanded into police custody on his first appearance in court on Wednesday, October 11, after Police Inspector Bernard Paa Ahinsan, who represented the state, prayed for two weeks to gather enough evidence to assist the prosecution.

The killing of Nana Boah sparked riots in Wassa Akropong with angry youth setting ablaze properties belonging to Chinese nationals in the area.

The Paramount Chief of the Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, had to intervene in the situation, and police had to relocate about 48 Chinese nationals to safety.