Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin
The Paramount Chief of Aowin Traditional Area in the Western North Region, Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III, has flatly denied that he was involved in the recent flogging of a young man in his palace.
He admitted that although the incident took place in his palace at Enchi, he was not in the town at the time and when the issue got to him he made sure the police went after the culprits.
According to Beyeeman Benbuin, his name is being dragged in the mud by his detractors because he has taken a stance that he would not allow illegal mining activities, popularly called galamsey, in his area.
At a news conference in Enchi last Friday, the chief said those making the spurious claims about the flogging incident should check their facts again since he hasn’t done anything like that.
Nana Benbuin accused some rival factions in a chieftaincy dispute in the town, who he said were in cahoots with some security personnel, especially the police, and who are doing all in their power to give him a bad name.
He alleged that he is only being maligned because he (Nana) formed an anti-galamsey task force that has been helping to expose illegal miners, including some Chinese.
“How could we have over 200 excavators now on our land and over 600 shangfans on our river body without the knowledge of the police?” he queried and vowed that he would ensure illegal mining is curbed in his traditional area.
“My sub-chiefs and I will not be discouraged in our fight against the numerous social ills going on in Enchi and its surrounding areas in spite of the incessant and unwarranted attacks on us, because people see us as having curtailed their illegal sources of income in view of our fight against galamsey activities in the town,” he also added.