Okyehene doesn’t have power to destool me – Asamang Tamfoe Benkumhene

The Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe, Nana Kwame Darkwa has refuted reports of his destoolment by Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin for his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.

State Secretary Ofori-Atta said the Traditional Council summoned and confronted the Chief of Asamang Tamfoe Osabarima Kwame Koh II and the Benkumhene Nana Kwame Darkwa, and they pleaded with Okyehene to help them fight the menace because they lacked the needed logistics to do so, only to realize the Benkumhene was neck-deep in the destruction.

He continued to explain that the plea of the Asamang Tamfoe chief and his Benkumhene was taken in good faith and an anti-galamsey taskforce was dispatched to the area and an excavator was seized, and a confrontation ensued only for the Benkumhene to surprisingly organize a press conference challenging the authority of the taskforce.

“About a thousand citizens of Asamang Tamfoe had brought a petition before the Osagyefuo [Amoatia Ofori Panin] accusing certain people including the Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe of complicity in the galamsey operations that were going on there.

Benkumhene Nana Kwame Darkwa explained that Okyehene breached the traditional protocols, forgoing the Asamang Tamfoe chief to destool him and that until the Asamang Chief destools him, he will continue to perform the duties of a Benkumhene of the area.

“I do consider myself a substantive Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe

Tradition must be respected and so if my chief [Asamang Tamfoe Osabarima Kwame Koh II] removes me, I will respect his decision and comply accordingly, and I will never challenge him.”