Aug 23, 2017
The youth of Nyinahin in the Atwima Mponua District of Ashanti, yesterday morning, hit the streets demonstrating against the granting of a permit to a company to prospect bauxite in the area.
The youth, in a petition, gave the government a 24 hour ultimatum to direct Exton Cubic Limited, the company prospecting bauxite in the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve, to halt operations.
According to the youth, government should order all machinery of Exton Cubic Company to be impounded until a proper agreement was reached by all stakeholders.
Baba Yaro, Assemblyman for the Nyinahin electoral area, presented the petition to the District Chief Executive, William Darko.
But, for well over two hours the police and the youth had a confrontation, as the police tried to disperse them because notice was not given for the demonstration.
While the police claimed the youth had flouted the law for not seeking approval to hit the streets, the youth said it was not a demonstration to warrant any police intervention.
Earlier on Sunday, the youth were said to have stormed the Kyekyewere Forest Reserves to prevent the company from working, when four heavy trucks with some workers were spotted in the reserves.
The Police managed to calm the situation down.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah earlier had four trucks being used for preparatory works for the project, impounded.
He indicated that the trucks would not be released until the company produced documents permitting it to operate in the forest reserves.
The Minister`s move comes after the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, had explained that the said company was doing nothing wrong,
He has indicated that he was waiting on official documentation from the Ministry before releasing the vehicles and equipment to the Engineers and Planners, the company said to be working with Exton Cubic Limited.
By: Nii Adotey Pappoe/adrdaily.com
