Nana Kwame Asare Bimpong I, the Mmratehene of the Aowin Traditional Council, has denied claims that the palace’s guards, sometimes referred to as bodybuilding men, are involved in galamsey activities or extorting miners in the area.
The clarification comes after a recent operation by the National Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Mining (NAIMOS), which arrested armed men impersonating the Anti-Galamsey Task Force in the Nyankamam-Amori forest of the Aowin Municipality in the Western North Region.
Reports suggested the men were operating with impunity and extorting money from miners, leading to their detention and handover to the police.
Speaking to the press, Nana Kwame Asare Bimpong I explained that the suspects are palace guards who assist in combating illegal mining under the guidance of the paramount chief, Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III.
“I doubt the involvement of the suspects in extortion of miners, but I commend NAIMOS for intensifying operations in the area,” he said.
The Mmratehene also highlighted ongoing efforts to educate miners in the Aowin enclave on responsible mining practices that protect rivers and forests. “We are working to ensure mining activities do not harm our natural resources,” he added.
The statement clarifies the role of palace guards in environmental protection and reinforces the council’s commitment to responsible mining in the municipality.
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