The Chief of Banka, a farming community in the Asante Akyem South Municipality of the Ashanti region has been jailed for three months by an Accra High Court for fraudulently appropriating one hundred and fifty thousand dollars earmarked for developmental works in the community.
The fund, which was donated by Gold Coast Company in 2010, was expected to be used for developmental projects in the acutely deprived community that lacks basic amenities including toilet facilities.
The 65-year-old according prosecution, seized the funds and denied his community the needed development.
After denying receiving the US$150,000 cheque earmarked for the community for a ten-year development plan, Osabarima Twiampomah III, is alleged to have confessed to the Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin of receiving the funds in November 2021.
Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, the High Court Judge, Comfort K.Tasiame said she’s been lenient in her sentencing because of the chief’s age.
In addition to the three months jail time, Nana Twiampomah III also known in private life as Frederick Kofi Frimpong, has been fined two thousand penalty units, or serve an additional five years jail time in default.
A handful of members of the Banka community who showed up in court expressed satisfaction with the judgment.