Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has refuted allegations made by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accusing government officials, including his office, of selling the sacred forest of Effutu for lithium mining.

Speaking to the Parliamentary Press Corps in Parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin dismissed the claims, stating that they were false.

He emphasized that it is not true that the sacred forest had been sold for lithium mining.

“…I simply want to say this allegation is false, is never true and in fact, the minerals commission two years ago stated the effect that such application has not even been received by them let alone approving for the company to mine lithium in that sacred forest where we hunt for deer during 'Aboakyir',” he said.

“So, I just want to set the record straight. Put it on record that there is no such thing,” he added.

Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Effutu, urged his colleagues in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to shift their focus to the actual challenges facing constituents and engage in constructive discussions on development issues.

He emphasized the importance of avoiding the spread of misinformation and lies, stating that such practices do not contribute positively to democracy. Additionally, he noted that the Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission had also denied the allegations.

“This morning, I am reliably informed that the Minerals Commission chief executive in a national dialogue has had cause to again reiterate that, what is being put out there by the NDC in Effutu is untrue, unfounded and he as chief executive of Minerals Commission has not signed any lease agreement for mining of lithium in that enclave where we hunt for deers,” he stated.

The Effutu traditional area has held the designation of a forest reserve for the past 300 years, specifically for the protection of bushbuck.

This reserve serves as the location for an annual hunt conducted during the Aboakyir festival. The Aboakyir festival is a traditional celebration centered around bushbuck hunting, observed by the people of Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana.