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The chief of Banka, a farming community in the Asante Akyem District of the Ashanti Region, has been sentenced to three months in prison and fined for embezzling $150,000 in community funds.
Osabarima Twiampomah III, the 65-year-old chief, was found guilty by the Accra High Court under Justice Comfort K. Tasiame’s oversight on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, following an extensive investigation revealing his financial misconduct.
Investigations revealed that Osabarima Twiampomah III misappropriated $150,000 given by Gulf Coast Resources Company Ltd., a gold mining firm, as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The court sentenced the chief to three months in jail and fined him 2,000 penalty units, amounting to GH¢24,000. Justice Tasiame stated that failure to pay the fine would result in a five-year prison term.
Reports indicated that the chief had withheld the funds, depriving the community of essential development projects. Initially, Osabarima Twiampomah III denied receiving the $150,000 designated for a ten-year development plan. However, he later admitted to Chief Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin of Akyem Abuakwa in November 2021 that he had received the money.
Charged with stealing under section 124 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29, the chief pleaded not guilty. State Attorney Watkins Adamah led the prosecution, presenting three witnesses who testified against the chief. Despite the chief’s request to submit no case to answer, granted by the court on December 19, 2023, the court ruled on February 20, 2024, that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for the chief to defend himself.
The trial concluded on May 7, 2024, with the chief testifying in his defense, supported by his only witness, Prof. Kwame Gyan Esq. Despite their efforts, the evidence led to the chief’s conviction, marking a crucial step toward accountability and transparency in local governance.
