Concerned citizens of Afrisipakrom, a farming community in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region, have petitioned the Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II, over what they describe as financial irregularities, illegal sale of communal lands, and ongoing acts of intimidation and abuse by their traditional leader.
In the petition, signed by Mr. Jeremiah Boachie Sarpong (also known as Kwaku Attah) and Mr. Amponsah Antwi on behalf of the group and copied to the media, the residents expressed deep concern about what they termed the “deteriorating governance and accountability” under the Afrisipakromhene (Chief of Afrisipakrom), who also serves as the Saamanhene of the Duayaw-Nkwanta Traditional Council.
Sale of cemetery land
One of the major grievances highlighted was the alleged sale of the community’s cemetery land to private developers. According to the petitioners, portions of the cemetery have been sold to KENMICH Constructions and a private individual identified as Mr. Acquah, while another section has been cleared for a commercial container project sanctioned by the chief and his subordinates.
“This has left the community in a state of dismay, as our cemetery is now full, and we have no place to bury our dead,” the petition stated. The residents warned that if urgent steps are not taken, the situation could lead to serious distress in the event of multiple deaths.
Financial irregularities, mismanagement of NADeF funds
The petition also alleged serious financial misconduct involving royalties and funds received from Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. The citizens accused the chief of failing to disclose details of ground rents and royalties due the community, including an alleged receipt of 32 billion old Ghana cedis from Newmont Ghana that remains unaccounted for.
Additionally, the petition accused the chief and his secretary, Mr. Larry Gabriel Yenugu, of forging the signature of Afrisipakrombene to withdraw 1.3 billion old Ghana cedis from the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) account, purportedly for youth training. The residents claim the act forms part of a “grand scheme” to misappropriate funds meant for community development.
Sales of job slots
The petitioners further alleged that job slots and apprenticeship opportunities provided by Newmont and its contractors—including DES SIMONE, CONSAR, JOUDY, Lycopodium, and MANTRAC—were sold to non-natives of Afrisipakrom for amounts ranging between GH¢10,000 and GH¢25,000.
They claim this practice has deprived qualified local youth of employment opportunities.
The group also demanded disclosure of the names of over 600 supposed beneficiaries of scholarships and apprenticeship programs funded by NADeF, stating that such information has been deliberately withheld.
Sale of Community Assets and Intimidation
Other allegations include the sale of land earmarked for public toilets and refuse dumps and demands by the chief for “40,000 old Ghana cedis and bottles of schnapps” before granting the Afrisipakrom Roman Catholic Church permission to build a clinic on its own land.
The petition also mentioned what it described as “arbitrary surcharges, harassment, and humiliation” of residents who question the chief’s actions.
The citizens expressed concern that some of the chief’s activities involved the sale of property belonging to Otumfuor himself, including a cocoa farm and assets linked to the Golden Stool, calling such actions “an affront to Asante tradition and culture.”
Call for Intervention
The petitioners said they initially sought mediation from local elders but abandoned that route due to the chief’s “intransigent posture.” They also expressed doubts about receiving a fair hearing at the Duayaw-Nkwanta Traditional Council, given the chief’s dual role there.
They have, therefore, appealed directly to Asantehene to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure justice is served.
“We can no longer continue under oppression and suppression,” the petition read. “We humbly appeal for Your Majesty’s swift and lasting intervention.”
Request for Investigation
The group also requested that the chief’s assets and bank accounts be frozen pending investigations, listing properties including a building at Abesim (on Dormaahene’s land), a plot at Tanoso, and a fleet of vehicles.
Several senior citizens of Afrisipakrom – Mr. Samuel Adjei (TACOCO), Mr. James Owusu Fordjour, Mr. Alfred Mills, Mr. David Kuphor, Mr. Bismark Agyen, Mr. Osei Yaw Anthony, Mr. Andrews Oduro, and others – have reportedly agreed to testify in support of the allegations.
