Stay Away from Asanko Concession – A/R Minister Cautions Tontokrom Youth

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has asked the youth and traditional leaders of Tontokrom in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti region to stay away from the disputed mining concession of the Asanko Gold Mines, until further notice. The concession in dispute is currently under military protection.

 

The admonition was issued when youth leaders and elders of Tontokrom presented a petition to the Minister, citing alleged intimidation by military personnel deployed to protect the concession belonging to Asanko Gold Ghana Limited.

 

In a video sighted by The Chronicle, Dr. Amoakohene is seen recounting that he has received two separate petitions from the youth and the traditional council which are calling for government intervention to compel Asanko Gold to cede part of its concession to the community.

 

The petitioners claimed the land had served as a major source of livelihood for them over the years.

The youth also alleged that the concession in question has not been formally gazetted by Asanko Gold, arguing that if the company truly owned the land, resettlement and other community benefits would have been provided by now.

The Regional Minister, however, revealed that neither the youth nor the traditional leaders could produce any legal documentation such as a land title to support their claims.

 

“I asked them directly if they have any license or title to the concession as a youth group, but they could not provide any. Their main concern was that removing them from the area would leave them jobless,” Dr. Amoakohene stated.

He added that, having listened to their concerns, he would now consult with Asanko Gold and the Minerals Commission to verify ownership of the land before any final decision is taken.

 

“If the Minerals Commission confirms that the concession belongs to Asanko, then as a government, our options are limited. The only possible path forward would be to engage Asanko and prevail on the company to consider ceding a portion of the concession to the community,” he said.

Dr. Amoakohene also cautioned the youth against taking any actions that could destabilize the area, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed through due process and that the outcome would be duly communicated to all stakeholders.

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