Chiefs and people of the Akpafu, Santrokofi, Lolobi, and Bowili are at odds with the government over moves to mine iron ore on their land.
They contended that the nation has not benefited in any manner from the mining of natural resources hence mining iron ore will only lead to the destruction of their environment and increase hardship.
Iron ore exist in Akpafu-Todzi and environs in the present guan district of the oti region.
Though this mineral resource was discovered and used by the ancestors of the land to make iron implement during the pre-colonial era, it was until recently that the state has shown greater interest in commercial mining.
The area is said to have abound in a number of other rich mineral resource including clinker and limestone, all of which could help transform the fortunes of the area and Ghana.
However, the inhabitants have kicked against any attempt to explore and mine the minerals in their lands.
They contended that though Ghana has been mining gold, bauxite, manganese, iron and many other mineral resources for more than a century, the country has nothing to show for them.
Rather they stressed that what is left behind are polluted and dead waterbodies, destruction of forest covers, wildlife habitats, and arable farm lands.
These and other issues associated with the long history of mining valuable mineral, they maintained have left majority of the population poorer.
The Kyedomhene of Santrokofi traditional area, Nana Kofi Olator IV, queried, what use would iron ore mining be to the country if it hasn’t been able to optimize the profits from gold, bauxite, crude oil among others?
As part of measure to ensure that their demands are coordinated, a 12-member steering committee with 3 representative each was put in place headed by chief of Akpafu Odomi and Adontrihene of Akpafu traditional area, Nana Tete Attu.
By Peter Quao Adattor
