Nzema paramount chief demands fair share of national resources

The Paramount Chief of the Awiaso Traditional Area, Tumivole Kaku Ackah III, has raised concerns about what he describes as the continued marginalisation of Nzema communities despite the abundance of natural resources found in the area.

Speaking at a press conference on February 28, 2026, the chief said Nzema indigenes have endured “eternal misfortunes” even though their lands host significant deposits of oil, gas and minerals.

Addressing traditional leaders, members of the media and residents, the Awiaso Omanhene said the gathering was meant to highlight the plight of Nzema people and call for fairness in the distribution of national resources.

Providing historical context, Tumivole Kaku Ackah III traced the origins of the Nzema people to the Akan family and emphasised their long-standing presence in the region.

He noted that the Nzema kingdom was founded nearly a thousand years ago by rulers from the Nvavile (Agona) clan, including the influential ruler King Kaku Aka I, who was enstooled in 1831.

According to him, Kaku Aka I expanded Nzema influence across neighbouring territories and resisted colonial influence by refusing to sign the Bond of 1844, an agreement that paved the way for British colonial control over the Gold Coast.

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The chief also highlighted prominent Nzema personalities who played significant roles in Ghana’s development, including Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, businessman and nationalist George Alfred Grant, and philosopher Anton Wilhelm Amo, who lectured in several universities in Germany in the 18th century.

Despite these contributions, the Awiaso Omanhene said "Nzema communities have not benefited adequately from economic opportunities created by oil, gas and mining activities."

He pointed to the discovery of petroleum resources offshore and gold deposits mined by Adamus Resources Limited, stating that unemployment among local youth has continued to rise.

According to him, "employment opportunities in the extractive sector are often given to outsiders while local residents endure the environmental impact of mining operations."

The chief also criticised what he described as the absence of a modern hospital in Nzema communities.

He expressed disappointment that none of the hospitals under the government’s Agenda 111 health infrastructure initiative was located in Nzema areas, despite the region contributing oil revenues that support national development.

He said pregnant women and patients with critical health conditions often face severe challenges due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure.

Another concern raised at the press conference was what the chief described as a disturbing pattern of deaths involving young people in Nzema communities.

He cited several cases, including the death of a young man allegedly involving security guards linked to Adamus operations in 2022 and the shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Adelekezo.

The chief called on the Ghana Police Service to expedite investigations and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Tumivole Kaku Ackah III also accused the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, of attempting to acquire land belonging to indigenes in the Awiaso area.

He alleged that the minister was using his position to acquire land in a prime location, a claim he said local leaders would resist.

The chief, however, praised President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as a listening leadership style, particularly regarding the decision to scale down land requirements for the proposed petroleum hub project.

The chief further raised alarm about illegal mining activities, popularly known as Galamsey, which he said have severely damaged forests and water bodies in Nzema areas.

He warned that mercury and other chemicals used in illegal mining are contaminating streams and threatening the livelihoods and health of residents.

Calling for urgent government intervention, he urged authorities to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining and restore polluted water bodies.

AM

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