Chiefs and people in towns such as; Nyinahini, Nkawie, Mpasaaso in the Ashanti Region, have vowed to resist any attempt by the Akufo-Addo government to stop Exotic Cubic from mining bauxite in the area.
The chiefs are unhappy with the government; they insist, if the Kibi and Awaso in the Eastern and Western regions, can have their Bauxites being mined, the people of Nyinahini in the Ashanti Region, also want to see and feel the benefits of a bauxite mine in their locality.
“Bauxite is being mined in areas such as Awaso, Kibi, if it is also done in the Ashanti Region, won’t it be good, don’t we also deserve it as well” the chiefs rhetorically questioned the Akufo-Addo government.
They openly told President Akufo-Addo, what is good for Kibi his hometown, is equally good for the people of Nyinahini in the Ashanti Region.
Government led by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, wants to give the Nyinahini concession to Chinese for US$15 billion, but the chiefs, prefer Exton Cubic, and are demanding that government immediately allows the company linked to businessman, Ibrahim Mahama of Engineers and Planners (E&P) to mine bauxite in the area.
The chiefs are outraged by actions of Akufo-Addo government led by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, who seized equipment belonging to the company, on claims that he was unaware of the company’s presence at Nyinahini, a mining community.
The chiefs and the town folks, argue that Nyinahini just like many other towns in the Eastern Region, deserves to benefit from its natural resources and so any attempt by government to stop it will not be countenance.
Their comments are a sharp departure from claims by the regional minister that, he was not in the know of the exploits of Exotic Cubic Company Limited.
The chiefs at a press conference, said they are not only aware of the presence of the company; Exton Cubic in the area, but they have sighted documents allowing the company to work which they are in support of, adding two foreign companies allowed into the concession area, had abandoned the site but Exton Cubic has shown its commitment .
The press conference which was attended by chiefs, queen mothers, elders and the youth was led by Nkawiepenhene, Nana Kusi Amankwah Amoafo II, who was flanked by chiefs of Mpasasohene and Nyinahini.