A group that calls itself the concerned citizens of Banka has petitioned the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II to institute investigations into allegations of theft by the Bankahene Osabarima Twiampoma III.
The Group is thus calling for the sanctioning of the Bankahene if he is found guilty of stealing the sum of US$150,000 dollars allocated for the develop of social intervention projects in Banka
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Attention: Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President National House of Chiefs
Re: Petition for an investigation into a case of theft and fraud by Osabarima Twiampoma III—Bankahene—Asante-Akyem South
I am petitioning you, and the distinguished House of Chiefs to which you are the Head, on behalf of the natives of Banka, in the Asante-Akyem District, to investigate the Chief of Banka, Osabarima Twiampoma III, for theft and fraud.
On 1 April, 2021, I informed Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa about this matter in writing (letter attached). The letter, I am told, was hand-delivered to Osagyefo Amoatia OforiPanin at Kyebi. As I write, there has been no action taken on this matter by Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
On Thursday, 17 June, 2021, a native of Banka called Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin. The receiver of the call, who gave his name as “Terry,” asked the caller (for) the purpose of the call; the caller told him it was about a case of theft and fraud by Osabarima Twiampoma III. The receiver told the caller Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin was at a meeting and that he should call back in two-hours, which he did without success. On the Friday, 18 June, 2021, the caller called again; he was not successful.
In the sequent paragraphs, I outline the reasons for my petition:
- Osabarima Twiampoma III, whose birthname is Kofi Frimpong was born in Banka to Kwadwo Kuma (father) and AmmaFosua (mother).
- Somewhere in the 1980’s, Kofi Frimpong worked at the Achimota College as a messenger in the Accounts/Bursar’s Office. He stole monies belonging to the college. Fearing arrest, he fled Ghana for Liberia. He sneaked into the country in 1994.
- In 2003, Kofi Frimpong was enstooled the Chief Banka, with the stool name Osabarima Twiampoma III; a serious lapse in judgement by those who enstooled him including the late Nana AwuahKotoko, the Chief of Begoro, who represented Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin at the ceremony.
- In 2011, The Gulf Coast Resources Ltd issued a cheque in the amount US$150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand American Dollars) to the people of Banka as part of the “company’s contribution towards the development of the town.” (I have attached a copy of the “receipt” signed and dated by Osabarima Twiampoma III).
- To ensure that the money was put to good use, the Managing Director of Gulf Coast Resources Limited, Mr. Ebenezer BaahAsare-Quansah, stated on the promissory note, dated 16 January, 2011, that the “holder [Nana Twiampoma III] may not assign [the cheque to a third party or for any project] without the . . . written approval of the undersigned [Mr. Asare-Quansah]” (I have attached a copy of the promissory note).
- On 14 June, 2011, Osabarima Twiampoma III secretly collected and cashed the cheque without the knowledge of his chiefs, elders, and the natives of Banka (Find attached a copy of the cheque and relevant documents).
- Osabarima Twiampoma III used proceeds from the cheque to build a house at Kasoa—SCC, against the purpose for which the cheque was issued, i.e., for the development of Banka.
- When OsabrimaTwiampoma III was confronted by his chiefs, elders, and the natives of Banka about the cheque, Osabarima Twiampoma III denied ever collecting the said cheque. He would, later, admit in his statement to the police that he, in fact, collected the cheque (Find attached a copy of the “facts-sheet”—”The Republic vrs. Osabarima Twiampoma III, Bankahene”).
- Osabarima Twiampoma III was charged with “stealing” under the Dishonest Appropriation Act—Section 125 of the Criminal Offences Act–(Act 29/60).” He was charged with “stealing . . . One Hundred and Fifty Thousand US Dollars (US$ 150,000) belonging to the people of Banka.”
- Osabarima Twiampoma’s statement to the police that “[the cheque was meant] for his personal issue and not for the Banka community and that he had used the money to pay his legal expenses, which he incurred while he was pursuing the matter with Gulf Coast Resources Company Ltd” (Review the “Facts” sheet, page 3, paragraph 4, line 3—5—) is false. There was no litigation. In fact, the case was arbitrated at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (Review the “Facts” sheet page 1, paragraph 4 and page 2, paragraph 1).
- Osabarima Twiampoma III was ‘NOT ACQUITTED’ by the court as claims but, rather, he was “DISCHARGED” until such time that the prosecution could bring to the court the principal witness (Mr. Asare-Quansah) who, at the time of hearing, was out of the country for medical treatment. (I have attached the court proceedings—The Republic vrsOsabarimaTwiampoma III—Court Case No. ST 71/2012).
- Osabarima Twiampoma’s change of story from denying ever receiving the cheque to the cheque was issued for his “personal use” confirms what I have known for years about his character; a conman who would lie even n the face of overwhelming evidence, and will do the same if summoned by the eminent members of the House to account for the cheque.
Your Eminence, as I write this letter, Nana Twiampoma III, one “Captain,”an alias, and KwakuDua are operating “galamsey” at Banka against the orders of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Akufo Addo Dankwa. The culprits are basting stones at the “galamsey” site using dynamites in close proximity to the Banka E-Block Senior Secondary School. Natives who challenge their illegal mining operations at Banka are threatened with death by Osabarima Twiampoma III and his supporters.
As a scholar of Ghanaian history and politics, chieftaincy is a noble institution; its role in righting the wrongs of, and punishing, persons who violate the laws of “Nananom” is commendable. It is for the aforementioned reason(s) that I am petitioning you and the House of Chiefs to investigate this matter and to dispense justice in a manner that strengthens the standing of chieftaincy. For eighteen years, the natives of Banka have been ruled by a chief whose actions confirm what his think of him; a thief and a fraudster. The people of Banka want action on this matter; “Evil thrives when good men [and institution of honour, such as chieftaincy] do nothing.”
I thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
On behalf of the Chiefs, Elders and the people of Banka.
