Construction and sand winning company, SummerTide company limited has initiated processes praying for clemency from Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council ,two years after the company clashed with Okyeman Environmental taskforce over alleged illegal sand winning activities in Upper West Akyem District.
Management of the company say the incident has soiled good relationship with traditional authority on whose lands they operates.
In June 2021, Okyeman Environmental taskforce as part invaded sand winning site of the company at Obeng Yaw Village in Upper West Akyem District in Eastern region amid sporadic gunshots to stop their operation.
Two workers of the company suffered injuries during the attack by Okyeman Environmental taskforce .
Their invasion incited a mob that pursued and attacked the taskforce compelling them to seek refuge at Police station.
Five members of the Okyeman Environmental taskforce namely Nana Barfuor Sarpong, Nana Barima Twum Tarbiade II, both sub-chiefs in Akyem Abuakwa ,Jonathan Martey, Eric Yaw Obeng, and Victor Ahenkora Koranteng were arrested.
One AK 47 assault rifle with 3 magazines and 7 Pump action cartilages were retrieved from them.
They were subsequently put before Koforidua Circuit court on Friday, June 19, 2021, on seven charges of conspiracy to commit a crime with kidnapping, Kidnapping, causing unlawful harm, stealing, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, possession of firearm and ammunition .
The accused were however granted ghc20,000 bail with two sureties each.
The Akyem Abuakwa traditional council subsequently held a press conference to declare war against the company never to operate on Akyem Land for clashing Okyeman taskforce and labeling them armed robbers and kidnappers which was widely published in the media.
The Chief Executive officer of Summertide Company Limited Atsu Forson in an interview with the media however said upon sober reflection, management withdrawn the court case and rendered unqualified apology to Akyem Abuakwa traditional council for clemency.
“The court case was withdrawn long time ago so there is no case in court .We have also written to Ofori Panin Fie for forgiveness so we are using this platform to admit our guilt in the first place and render apology to Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin ,and the Akyem Abuakwa traditional council.
He said the company is not engaged in illegal sand winning, that, has all legitimate documents to work however ,going forward, will deepen collaborate with Okyeman Environmental taskforce for environmentally sustainable operation.
Akyem Abuakwa State secretary D.M Ofori Atta confirmed that the company has initiated steps pleading for clemency however has been directed to use the right traditional processes .
Meanwhile, must first render apology to Okyeman in the same media that carried out various publications to tarnish the image of Ofori Panin Fie.
“Atsu Forson has written to the palace pleading for clemency .But in Okyeman you can’t plead for clemency with a mere letter . Customary law knows no writing so we told Atsu ,that it was not the right customary procedure to plead for clemency for forgiveness of his transgressions against Okyeman.That, should organized the media that were used to bastardize the palace through its publications on the incident, to apologize.He is a native if Akyem Land working here so if he is pleading for forgiveness ,we can’t turn it down but must follow the clear customary procedures” D.M Ofori Atta said.
Source : Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
