Tension in Talensi as 11 Tindaama clash with Tongraan over Chinese miners
Tension is rising in Talensi, a mineral-rich district in the Upper East Region, as traditional landowners (Tindaama) and the Paramount Chief of the area, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, are seriously engaged in an unusual clash that has also generated disquiet among security watchers. The ‘supremacy war’ is grounded in a recent controversial move by the Earl International Group (GH) Limited—a new name said to have been adopted by the familiar Chinese-owned Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited— to “unduly” take over more land in the deprived district for large-scale mining purposes. That move, strongly opposed by the natives of the area who say the action was being made without due consultation with the appropriate stakeholders, drew widespread anger with some traditional landowners also petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pay no attention to an application letter written by the Earl International Group (GH) Limited to the EPA for permit. Whilst the Tindaama were waiting for a reply to their petition from the end point, the Tongraan wrote to the EPA, urging the agency to ignore the petitioners (the Tindaama). The letter is dated 11th September, 2020, and captioned “Re: Objection to Refrain Earl International Group Ghana (GH) Limited from Mining at the Gbane Gold Project.” And it reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the [above-mentioned] issue said to have been raised by the Tindongo, Duusi and Sawalig Tindamas requesting your outfit [to] not approve of the permit application submitted to your office by Shanxi/ Earl International Mining Group (GH) Ltd. I wish to state that you ignore such a request. The Talensi [Traditional] Council and the paramountcy which is made up of all the traditional rulers (both Chiefs and Tindamas) is the supreme body headed by the Tongraana and it is the supervising authority in the Talensi Traditional Area within the Talensi District. Any matters relating to the mining/land should be brought before the Talensi Council without which remains invalid. “It must be noted that Stool Land Administration in Talensi Traditional [Area] conforms to the Stool Lands Administrations Act 1994, and all issues related to such matters have to be handled and dealt with according to the [laid-down] procedures. The Tongraana has supervisory, jurisdictional and territorial control of the people, land, rivers, etc. in all of ‘Talenteng’ (Talensi Traditional Area). This should be well noted so as not to allow people who are self-seekers and [confusionists] to create any conflict in the area. It should be noted that the paramountcy has for some time tolerated activities of some persons [who] are inciting people in the area to create confusion in the area. The paramountcy advises that such persons should desist from such acts in their own interest.” Your letter full of inaccuracies, jokes and borne out of greed— Tindaama tell Tongraan in rebuttal Eleven traditional landowners wrote back to the EPA, saying the content of the Tongraan’s counter letter was driven by “greed, egoism and parochial interest”. “When we received the letter, the content appeared as though it was a joke considering the number of grammatical errors and the letting out of stream of thoughtless invectives against the Tindaama and the people of such communities as self-seeking and confusionists who only seek to create confusion in the area. Has Tongraan met with the Tindaama he is referring to concerning Earl International Group (GH) Gold Limited’s intention to do large-scale mining in Talenteng? If he has met with them concerning this issue, what decision was taken about the exploration activities on our lands and when was that decision taken? Tongraan should remember that in May, 2018, the Tindaama in a letter stated clearly and unequivocally that they were not ready to co-sign any lease with him or any of his sub-chiefs. Attached is the letter for reference. Why should Tongraan be responding to a letter that was addressed to a state institution responsible and capable of addressing our concerns? “The Tongraan, in an attempt to consolidate his position on the matter, churned out a number of inaccuracies on land ownership and administration in his letter to the EPA. What is his locus in attempting to direct the EPA to ignore our concerns? It must be pointed to the Tongraan that there is no such thing like a supervisory body that controls and supervises lands belonging to individuals or clans when it comes to mining activities. His request should rather be ignored. It only exists in Tongraan’s mind purely borne out of his greed, egoism and parochial interest. Tongraan must know that there is something called Social Licence to Operate (SLO) when it comes to mining. The Social Licence to Operate, though an informal contract with the people, [is] yet very critical for success of any mining activity in a community,” the traditional landowners stated in their reaction. Your continued tyranny, distortions of historical facts unacceptable— Tindaama to Tongraan The Tindaama also rubbished the Tongraan’s reference to the Stool Lands Administration Act 1994. They said his claims stood on “mosquito legs” because “he should know that in the Upper East Region, and Talensi to be precise, lands belong to individuals, families and clans with the Tindaama having the oversight responsibility of such lands and not chiefs”. They made it clear that they would bow under “no amount of inferior tactics” on their demands “to be engaged with, treated fairly and adequately compensated for the use of our lands by Earl International Group (GH) Limited”. “We are determined to galvanise the efforts of the generality of our people to resist Tongraan and his new found friends (Earl International Group (GH) Gold Limited) in respect of exploration activities on our lands without properly engaging us. The current Tongraan, through his actions and behaviour, seems to suggest that we are in a master-servant relationship with him. His continued tyranny, distortions of historical facts, lack of respect for the people of Talensi is unacceptable. He must be told in plain language that no court in Ghana will endorse his attempt to dispossess landowners of their lands
UER Video: Is the Chief really doing politics?
Listen to Chief of Zebilla Naba Moses Abaare. What do you think about his action in our body politics? condemnable or commendable? Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please kindly contact Apexnewsgh.com on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
Ursula Owusu campaigning across Ghana for her Vice Presidential ambition – A Plus
Social Commentator, Kwame A Plus has said that Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful does not deserve any praise for her campaign activities across the country. An influential member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere-Darko a few days ago in a post on Facebook was grateful to Ursula Owusu for involving herself in the party’s campaign regardless of her busy schedule as a Minister. He expressed disgust at other government appointees who have failed to join the campaign in the name of being busy and quizzed them on who they want to campaign for them to be reappointed. But reacting to this, Kwame A Plus insists that Ursula Owusu is campaigning for herself and not because she has the interest of the party at heart. According to him, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has a Vice Presidential ambition and therefore is using this opportunity to market herself to members of the NPP. He wrote: “New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is questioning why most appointees in the Akufo-Addo-led administration are yet to sell the party’s successes to canvass for votes ahead of the December 7 polls.” He has, however, commended Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, for her nationwide campaign tour describing her tenacity and zeal in campaigning for the ruling party as “exceptional.” “Why is Gabby pretending that he does not know why Ursula Owusu who is the NPP Ablekuma West parliamentary candidate would leave her constituency and be campaigning in the Upper East, Northern region and other parts of Ghana instead of concentrating on her constituency? I have been reliably informed that she has vice presidential ambitions. Let her take a lie detector test to prove that she does not.” “She is campaigning for herself, not any NPP biaa. As an MP who must concentrate on winning your constituency, when the president pass here you too you pass there – campaigning in other people’s constituency why? Are you contesting for nationwide MP? She is just trying to build an image to be selected as Bawumia’s vice very soon. Because nobody knows here outside Accra. If I walk with her on the streets people will identify me and ask if that’s my Maame no she’s fine though. Alakit But you see, money and power has deleted the 2007 experience from their heads. Just as Kuffour was not able to force Alan Kyeremanten on NPP then, Akufo Addo can’t force anyone on NPP now!!!” “Even if he is able to win this election, from 2022 nobody would pick his calls and those who contest for even polling station chairman in his name will lose. “Bawumia would be flag bearer and Ursula would be his running mate We are waiting for you the “perfect couple” Mo trim y3 mo d3 paa mo saa squad wei Politicians nankasa I don’t know how their brains work. The kind of humiliation that awaits these people errrrh…. what happened to president Kufuor between 2007 and 2010 is small koraa. That sakawa ambition that you people are nursing. All your money will finish. Dey there and misbehave,” he concluded. MyNewsGh Please kindly contact Apexnewsgh.com on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
People of Upper East, do you know who is contesting as MP in your constituency? Please read through
A total of 51 Parliamentary Candidates have filed their nomination forms to contest the 15 parliamentary seats in the Upper East Region in the December 2020 polls. Out of the 51 candidates, six are females while 45 are males. According to the Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC), the filing of nominations ended on Friday, October 9, 2020, but still pending clearance from the Commission. Mr William Obeng Adarkwa, the Regional Director of the Commission, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga said, only the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) filed aspirants in all the 15 constituencies while four people filed as Independent Candidates. For the Builsa South Constituency, three people, Dr Clement Abas Apaak of the NDC, Mr Daniel Kwame Gariba of the NPP, and Mr Zong Alhassan of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) filed their nomination forms. In the Builsa North Constituency, four people, Mr James Agalga of the NDC, Mr James Maurice Abakisi of the NPP, Mr Joseph Ransford Asnok of PNC and Mr Simon Gibson Anuegabey, an Independent Candidate would be contesting when cleared by the EC. In the Navrongo Central Constituency, the aspirants are Mr Samson Tangombu Chiragia of the NDC, Ms Tangoba Abayage of the NPP and Madam Susan Gariba Kumbirizegh of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP). For Chiana-Paga Constituency, Mr Thomas Addah Dalu of the NDC, Mr Robert Apechira Aloo of the NPP, Mr Elvis Akumyire Abagumbire of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Mr Patrick Bugayire Akwoyire of the Liberty Party of Ghana (LPG). In the Bolgatanga Central, Mr Isaac Adongo of the NDC, Mr Rex Asanga of the NPP, Mr Francis Ayadago of the LPG and Madam Latifa Abdul-Rahman of the CPP would be contesting for the seat while in the Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine of the NDC and Reverend Emmanuel Abugre Abole of the NPP have filed. For the Bongo Constituency, the candidates are, Mr Edward Abambire Bawa of the NDC, Mr Peter Ayamga Ayinbisa of the NPP, Mr George A-enbinge Afari of the PPP and Mr Richard Kamah of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM). In the Talensi Constituency, the aspirants are Mr Benson Tongo Baba of the NDC, Mr Thomas Pearson Duanab Wuni of the NPP and Mr Michael Wombeogo of the PPP while Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane of the NDC and Mr Boniface Adagbila Gambila of the NPP have also filed in the Nabdam Constituency. For the Zebilla Constituency, those who filed are, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka of the NDC, Mr Frank Fuseini Adongo of the NPP, Mr Benjamin Anafo of the CPP and Mr Karim Mahamadu Aduku of the National Democratic Party (NDP). In the Bawku Central the aspirants are, Mr Mahama Ayariga of the NDC, Madam Agbanina Gabiana Abugri of the NPP, Mr Daniel Kwesi Ayabah of the GUM Party, Mr Kasim Siniwani of the LPG and Mr Isaac Kaame of the NDP. For the Pusiga Constituency, they are Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamga of the NDC, Mr Abdul-Karim Zanin Daubiure of the NPP, Mr Moses Azuma Musa of the All People’s Congress (APC), Mr John Aguri of the PNC, and Mr Simon Atingban Akunye, an Independent Candidate. For the Garu Constituency, Mr Albert Alalzuuga Akuka of the NDC, Mr Musah Osman of the NPP, and Mr Dominic Azimbe Azumah, an Independent Candidate filed their nomination forms. Madam Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba of the NDC and Mr Joseph Dindiok Kpemka of the NPP have filed in the Tempane Constituency while Mr Robert Baba Kuganab-lem of the NDC, Mr Abdulai Abanga of the NPP, and Mr John Ayeeda Ayebilla, an Independent Candidate filed in the Binduri Constituency. GNA Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please kindly contact Apexnewsgh.com on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications