Hajia Amina Tahiru, the Chief Executive Officer of AC Zenon Limited, has strongly refuted claims that she is related to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor. The allegations, made by the Akyem Asuom Kontihene, Nana Boadi Amponim Obodade III, suggested that Hajia Tahiru was using her purported relationship with the minister to avoid complying with the local community’s demands to cease her company’s operations and reclaim lands damaged by those activities.
In response to these accusations, Hajia Tahiru addressed the matter during an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi FM’s Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News, aired last Friday. She firmly stated that she had no familial ties to Minister Abu Jinapor, dismissing the claims as baseless and unfounded.
“I don’t even know how I was linked to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. I am not related to him at all, in no way. I am not from his constituency, that is the irony. I am a Gonja, but I am not his relative,” she clarified during the interview.
The CEO expressed her surprise at the origin of the allegations and emphasized that the claims about her alleged relationship with the minister were completely false. She attributed the misinformation to attempts to tarnish her reputation and distract from the real issues at hand. Hajia Tahiru explained that while she shares the same ethnic background as Abu Jinapor, being a Gonja, this in no way suggests a familial connection.
“…That is where all the lies are coming from. Yes, I am a Gonja by birth. I am also a Dagomba by birth. Those are my identities, and I am very proud to be a Gonja and a Dagomba at the same time, but in no way am I related to Abu Jinapor,” she stressed.
Hajia Tahiru’s company, AC Zenon Limited, has been at the center of controversy in recent months due to its mining activities in the Akyem Asuom area. Local community leaders, including the Kontihene, have expressed concerns over environmental degradation and damage to the land caused by the company’s operations. They have called for a halt to the company’s activities and for immediate efforts to reclaim and restore the affected areas.
The Kontihene, Nana Boadi Amponim Obodade III, had alleged that Hajia Tahiru’s refusal to comply with the community’s demands was influenced by her supposed relationship with Minister Jinapor. He accused her of using her connection to the minister to shield her company from facing repercussions for the environmental impact of its operations.
However, Hajia Tahiru firmly denied these accusations, stating that her company operates within the bounds of the law and has always been transparent about its activities. She emphasized that AC Zenon Limited is committed to addressing any legitimate concerns raised by the community and following all regulatory procedures.
She also expressed her commitment to reclaiming the damaged lands, stating that her company had plans in place to restore the affected areas as part of its corporate responsibility. According to Hajia Tahiru, AC Zenon Limited has always been proactive in its approach to environmental sustainability and is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the community’s concerns are addressed.
In her interview, she also highlighted the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry and how accusations like these are part of a broader attempt to undermine her work and credibility. She described the claims as part of a smear campaign aimed at discrediting her and her company’s operations.
“It’s unfortunate that falsehoods like these are being spread, but it won’t deter me from continuing to work with integrity and ensuring that our operations comply with all environmental and legal requirements,” she remarked.
Hajia Tahiru’s clarification comes at a time when illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” and environmental degradation are major national issues in Ghana. The government, under the leadership of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has been actively pursuing measures to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s natural resources. As such, any perceived connection between government officials and mining companies can easily become the subject of public scrutiny.
By distancing herself from Minister Abu Jinapor, Hajia Tahiru hopes to clear her name and dispel any misconceptions that may have arisen due to the false allegations. She emphasized that her company operates independently and in compliance with all legal frameworks governing the mining industry in Ghana.
She also called for an end to the spread of misinformation, urging the public and local authorities to engage in constructive dialogue rather than relying on baseless rumors. Hajia Tahiru reiterated her commitment to working with the community and other stakeholders to ensure that any environmental concerns are addressed in a responsible and timely manner.
In conclusion, Hajia Amina Tahiru remains focused on her role as the CEO of AC Zenon Limited, determined to maintain the integrity of her company’s operations. She has made it clear that she is not related to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, and that her company is fully prepared to engage with the community to resolve any outstanding issues regarding land reclamation and environmental restoration.
