The Assembly said preliminary checks conducted by its Agriculture and Environmental Health Departments, including engagements with affected farmers, indicated that no crops had been destroyed.

In a statement signed by Mr Otoo Augustine Akumeni, Communications Officer at the Office of the District Chief Executive (DCE), the Assembly described the reports of crop destruction as misleading and inaccurate.

“The Agriculture and Environmental Health Departments of the Assembly have held engagements with the farmers at Tsumkpo and can say with all certainty that no crop whatsoever was destroyed,” the statement said.

The clarification follows an earlier media publication alleging the destruction of farmlands at Tsumkpo as a result of sand mining activities.

The Assembly also clarified that it did not have the mandate to grant mining licences to companies, explaining that its role was limited to issuing business operating permits to companies that were legally registered and operating in accordance with the laws of Ghana.

According to the statement, the Assembly had consequently engaged the Minerals Commission to review the operations of the company involved.

It said preliminary checks further indicated that the company had acquired the land from the relevant landlords at Tokpo and had gone through the traditional processes required for the acquisition.

The Assembly, however, did not disclose the name of the company or provide further details on the Minerals Commission’s review.

It urged the media and social media platforms to verify information before publishing reports on sensitive matters, particularly those with potential implications for communities and businesses.

The Assembly noted that inaccurate reports could create fear, panic and other forms of harm, and therefore called for greater responsibility and circumspection in the publication of information.

It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable development while protecting the interests of residents of the district.