The people of Banka , a town in the Asante Akim South District of Asante Region has threatened to embark on massive demostration to demand accountability from Nana Osabarima Twiampomah III, Chief of Banka who is being held for allegedly misappropriating $150,000.00 belonging to his community for infrastructure development.
According to them, the money misappropriated was a lease sum paid by Gulf Coast Resources Limited, Manage by Mr. Ebenezer Baah Aware Quansah, a mining company, to the people of Banka after using their land for mining for the past 10 years.
They emphasized that all efforts to retrieve this money has been met with strong opposition from the chief and anyone who mentions this money has been seen as his sworn enemy. Adding that Banka Hene has failed to make disclosure on the usage of this huge amount of any developmental project within the community.
According to the Community, GCRL paid the amount as per Stanbic Bank Cheque number 534403 on June 14, 2011. It was received and acknowledged by the Nana Twiampomah III, who issued a signed receipt on June 14, 2011. But he failed to inform his people after receiving the money and later said the money was for his cheifs stools administration cost.
Per information gathered indicated that Mr Asare Quansah, Chief Executive of Gulf Coast Resources Limited denied at Accra High court that the $150,000.00 given to people of Banka by the company was for the chiefs stools administrative cost.
Mr Quansah, explained that at the time of issuing the cheque for $150,000.00 the community did not have a bank account and so he issued it in the name of Nana Osabarima Twiapomah III, the chief of Banka in the Ashanti Akim South District.
Mr Asare Quansah, the star witness made this known when he concluded his cross examination in the case of Nana Osabarima Twiampomah III, Chief of Banka who is being held for allegedly misappropriating $150,000.00 belonging to his community.
Nana Twiampomah pleaded not guilty before an Accra High Court. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Charles Quist, admitted the chief to bail in the sum GH50,000 with one surety to be justified. The surety deposited a title deed equivalent to the principal sum of $150,000 to the Courts registry.
Mr Quansah answering questions administered by defence counsel Mr Richard Robinson Junior, a star witness maintained that the money and promissory note given by his company was to be used for the towns benefit.
According to prosecution, in 2000, Gulf Coast Resources Limited (GCRL), acquired a mining lease for a period of 10 years from the Minerals Commission to operate a gold mining on Banka lands. The mining lease however expired in 2010.
The community are therefore demanding for an immediate return of the money which belongs to the people of Banka else they will demonstrate and destool him.
Speaking at a news conference, Mr. Thomas Kwame Kyei, the Leader of Freedom Fighters, Justice and development for Banka Community disclosed that Nana Twiampomah III, was the main architect in a move to destooled Nana Kwakye Penkro II, the former chief of Banka for Misappropriating GHC1,000 so they thought their present chief would have exhibited a true sense of an accountability readership and render account to them, but it unfortunate that did not happen.
Mr. Kwame Kyei in his address, expressed worries about all the natural resources the community has they can not boast of a good drinking water and a toilet facility owing to the poor utilisation of funds by their chief. “What sort of quality education can we give to our future leaders in such an environment”, he stressed.
The community are therefore calling on government and member of Parliament for Asante Akim South Constituency , Lawyer Kwaku Boateng, to come into their aid interms of social amenities, construction of their roads and others.
“Our road infrastructure is in a very deplorable state. Our leaders are not making any efforts to make sure the contract giving is being executed according to specification. If one wants to travel to Kumasi from this town, the person must keep vigil so as to catch the single bus which is Kumasi bound as early as 2 am”, he added.
Report by Bernard K DADZIE