En Huang, also known as Ashia Huang, has testified that between 2013 and 2018 she operated a supermarket without permit, as a mechanism to survive in Ghana.
Meanwhile, at the time Ashia Huang’s Golden Asia Supermarket was opened, her permit as resident spouse barred her from engaging in any work for payment.
This, the most famous Chinese national in the country, disagrees with the prosecution’s claim and denied ever being aware of any law restricting her from operating until she gained an indefinite permit.
The accused further denied during cross examination that her Golden Asia Company Limited had the intention to mine in Ghana, when a question was put to her by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa.
Unfortunately, an exhibit was pulled out, indicating that Ashia Huang had a stated her reason to mine the country’s natural resources.
The accused, however, explained that the mining objective was stated when she was applying for the company registration.
Hitherto, the High Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, was told that the accused doubled as the Secretary and Director of Golden Asia Company Limited, therefore, has no representative.
The accused added that her company operated other objectives listed on the registration certificate, minus mining.She also denied being fluent in English and Twi, as suggested by the prosecution.
Furthermore, Ashia denied ever been to Bepotenten, an illegal mining site, where she allegedly conducted her mining expeditions.
Below are some questions (Q) and answers (A) that ensued in court:
Q. You told the court that your supermarket is located at Ahodwo in Kumasi. Is that so?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the official name of your supermarket?
A. Golden Asia.
Q. So the name is not Aisha Supermarket as you stated in paragraph 4 of your evidence in chief?
A. There is no difference between the name.
Judge: If you don’t understand the question ask A-G for clarification, but don’t be asking questions as if you are evading the question.
Q. You also stated that you operated this supermarket between 2013 and 2018?
A. Yes.
Q. In 2013, when you started operating this supermarket, you did not have a permit to do so?
A. It is not so.
Q. In 2013, you were on a resident permit as resident spouse and you were not supposed to engage in any work for payment?
A. No.
Q. Take a look at Exhibit E7, which is redefine permit form F, which states that no occupation or business or reward permitted?
A. I did not know.
Q. I put it to you that you knew you were not allowed to work in Ghana till you got an indefinite permit, but operated illegally?
A. I do not agree.
Q. By virtue of your long stay in Kumasi, you have a very good understanding of Twi and English. Isn’t it?
A. Not so. I can understand a bit of Twi and a bit of English.
Q. In fact your Twi was so good that your Golden Asia Supermarket became popular in Kumasi among people who patronise…you use Twi to interact with them.
A. I haven’t had a conversation in Twi language with anybody.
Q. It cannot be true that you have not spoken Twi with anybody because you had conversations with farmers in the Bepotenten area. Not so?
A. Not so. I have never been to Bepotenten.
Q. I put it to you that not only do you have a good appreciation of Twi but you also speak English well?
A. I understand a little English but not plenty Twi.
Q. This Golden Asia Company Ltd., can you tell the court the object?
A. For business to survive.
Q. One of the reasons you set up Golden Asia Company Ltd. was to mine in Ghana.
A. Not so.
Q. In exhibit U, which is the company profile of Golden Asia, mining is stated as an object of the Company?
A. When I was applying for the Company they gave me all these, as what the Company was to undertake, that was why it is there.
Q. In fact in paragraph 32 of your witness statement, you said you registered the Company with the objective of mining?
A. Yes, it is so.
Q. So you were a Director of this Company. Isn’t it?
A. Yes, my Lady, I am a Director.
Q. As a Director of Golden Asia Company Limited,you had a clear objective to engage in import and export of general goods and mining?
A. I didn’t sign as a representative of the company.
Q. Aisha, in exhibit U, which is the Company profile of Golden Asia Limited, you are listed both as Secretary and Director, so it cannot be true that you do not remember signing as a representative of the company.
A. I do not agree with Counsel. When I signed I just signed.
Q. I put it to you that in accordance with your objective to mine, you did carry out mining at Bepotente
A. No so, my Lady. We just operated all the objectives but we never engaged in mining.
The case is adjourned to July 18, 2023 at 11:00am.
