Dr Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister has called on Chiefs and Youth of Tontokrom to remain calm as he deliberate on the matter they have brought before him regarding the activities of military persons working at Asanko Mines.

Speaking to the media in reaction to a viral video that seem to carry a wrong narrative, the Minister said the chiefs and youth recently brought a petition before him but nowhere did he promise to ensure that military persons working for Asanko Mines would be withdrawn.

However, he said he assured them of working out a solution for all party parties involved.

“The Chiefs and Youth recently petitioned me about how Asanko Mines have been dealing with the indigenes including some of the youth who are engaged in small scale Mining including the allegation that military officers were being used to perpetrate brutalities on illegal miners”, the Minister explained.

Assurance:

The Minister said he assured the Chiefs and Youth of working on their petition.

However, “no where did I say i will cause the withdrawal of military persons protecting the concessions of Asanko Mines”, the Minister stated.

The Minister noted that the issues presented before him can be solved with the involvement of all parties.

“I am working on the issues presented to ensure that together we can settle them for the people of Tontokrom and Asanko Mines but nowhere did i promise to work to withraw military officers working for the company”, the Minister stated.

Background:

Few weeks ago, there were reports of some deaths at Tontokrom, a community in the Amansie enclave of the Ashanti Region.

Three persons were reported to have been killed by assigns of Asanko Mines.

Subsequently, the youth of the town organised a demonstration and marched to present a petition to the Regional Minister.

Upon receipt of the petition, the Minister invited the Chiefs and the youth to a meeting and promised to facilitate solution to the issues raised.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,

Kumasi.