Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has refuted allegations about the sale of the sacred forest, where deer is hunted annually for the Aboakyire festival.
Some Winneba residents in the Effutu Constituency hit the streets yesterday to protest the alleged sale of the forest to a mining company to harvest Lithium.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, told journalists in Parliament that the claims were not only false, but also unfounded.
He said that the allegations were the product of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives in the constituency, who are trying to incite the people against him and the government.
“The NDC in my constituency has come out with serious allegations to the effect that government officials, including my office, sat unconcerned and allowed people to buy the sacred forest of Effutu, where we go for deer hunting, for the mining of Lithium, and I simply want to say that this allegation is false,” he stated.
He added, “I simply want to say that this allegation is false. In fact, the Minerals Commission, two years ago, issued a statement to the effect that such an application had not been received by them, let alone approving for a company to mine Lithium in that sacred forest where we hunt for deer during our Aboakyire festival.”
“I just want to set the record straight that there is no such thing. I will therefore urge my colleagues in the NDC to focus on real challenges facing our people so that we engage on issues rather than polluting the minds of people; misinforming and lying.
“Such a practice does not help in democracy. This morning, I’m reliably informed that the Minerals Commission Chief Executive, in a national dialogue, has had the cause to again reiterate that what is being put out there by the NDC in Effutu is untrue and unfounded,” he asserted.
The Minerals Commission boss, Martin Ayisi, last year, wrote to the Effutu Traditional Council and the Municipal Assembly to assuage their fears about the possible sale of the forest to a firm to mine Lithium.
“It is important to state that under the mining laws of Ghana, the chiefs and the communities must be consulted before any mineral right can be recommended by the Commission and same granted for any mineral activity or operation to take place in any area in Ghana.
“Green Metals Resources Limited (Green Metals) did apply for a mineral right in the area but the Commission has not recommended the grant of any mineral right, nor has the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources granted any mineral right or lease to the company or to any company to explore or mine any mineral in the area in question,” the letter stated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House