NDC Apparatchiks Takeover Smart Mickey Mining Concession?

A deepening conflict is brewing at Akatakyieso, a community in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region, following what residents describe as an unlawful attempt by a group, allegedly linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to seize a legally acquired mining concession belonging to Smart Mickey Mining Company.

The community has accused the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator of orchestrating what they call a politically motivated takeover of the concession, sparking fears of violent confrontation if the matter is not urgently addressed.

In a scene reminiscent of the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) mine invasion in Obuasi, that claimed five lives in recent years, residents have vowed to resist any further attempts to transfer control of the concession by force.

According to eyewitnesses, the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinating Council stormed the concession last week, evicted workers of Smart Micky Mining Company and allegedly handed operations to a group described as affiliated with the ruling NDC. Community members say the act was carried out “under orders from above.”

This has provoked widespread outrage among residents of Akatakyieso, located just four kilometers from Obuasi.

During a protest yesterday, demonstrators – young and old – adorned in red bands, carried placards with messages such as “NDC is worse than NPP,” “Jabari Stop Frustrating Ashantis,” “Save Local Mining Companies” and “Otumfuo, Please Come to Our Aid.”

Addressing the media, Mr. Jones Owusu, Chairman of the Akatakyieso Unit Committee, described the attempted seizure as a betrayal of trust and a violation of the rights of the community, emphasising that the concession was lawfully acquired in 2019 by Michael Owusu, popularly known as “Lion” or “Kwame Macho.”

Mr. Owusu accused the group of greed and treachery, alleging that although members of the same NDC faction had previously worked with Smart Mickey Mining, they now seek to dominate operations and revenue.

“We are not second-class citizens. Many of us supported the NDC in the last elections. This is our government too and this behavior is a disgrace,” he said, while pleading with President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene.

He added that since acquiring the concession, Smart Micky Mining has undertaken several development projects for the community, including renovating the Akatakyieso Palace, re-roofing a dilapidated Junior High School, supporting the local health post with logistics and initiating the construction of a police station currently 60% complete.

The company has also supported local churches, donated to orphans and the underprivileged during festive seasons and provided jobs to many residents, Owusu said.

Speaking to The Chronicle, a mine worker, Ishmael Kusi, expressed disappointment in the state-sanctioned actions, warning that the government risks alienating its own supporters.

“Even if your party is in power, you cannot just seize someone’s registered concession. That’s lawlessness. If this continues, there will be chaos in the next few days,” he warned.

He alleged that the invading group includes individuals who recently participated in the invasion of the AngloGold Ashanti concession and called on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and President Mahama to take swift action.

A visibly distressed resident, Madam Afia Adwubi Kete, described the development as a case of “state capture,” urging the President to remain true to his campaign promise that all Ghanaians will be treated equally.

The community’s NDC chairman, Joseph Gyamfi, alias “Pusher,” also condemned the incident, saying even he was denied access to the site during the raid, despite presenting his party credentials.

“Nana [Otumfuo], I am the NDC chairman here. I was prevented from entering the mine by people claiming this is ‘their government.’ This is our home and we cannot sit idle while royals are treated as strangers on their own land,” he lamented.

Residents are calling on the Presidency, the Regional Minister, the Ashanti Regional Security Council and traditional authorities to restore order, protect local interests and prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

The post NDC Apparatchiks Takeover Smart Mickey Mining Concession? appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story