The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ahanta West, Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Aidoo, has alleged that the Divisional chief of Bukrom, in the Municipality, is deeply implicated in illegal mining activities in the area and is currently on the run, after a joint swoop by the Assembly and National Security operatives.
In a telephone interview with The Chronicle, on Wednesday, Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Aidoo said two excavators were impounded during the latest “Galamsey Operation” conducted in the Municipality, adding that multiple intelligence reports and community complaints point directly to the chief’s involvement in the galamsey.
According to him, several residents, opinion leaders and community representatives have consistently reported that illegal miners frequently visit the chief’s palace after their operations to allegedly “settle” him.
“We have had several complaints of the chief being part of the galamsey activity… When they finish breaking, they go to his palace and give him something,” he stated.
The MCE also revealed that individuals wielding pump-action guns at various mining sites were traced back to the chief.
“Most of the people holding the pump-action guns are ‘macho men’ that he brings. He has even registered a gun in the name of one Muscatrice,” he added.
Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Aidoo told The Chronicle that arrest of two of the chief’s bodyguards during the operation is expected to serve as bait to compel the chief to show up.
“We identified two of his bodyguards and arrested them. We are using that as bait for him to come forward,” he said.
He further questioned why the chief, as the traditional authority of the community, would allow illegal mining to flourish under his watch if he were not involved.
But that is not enough to suggest the chief is indeed involved in galamsey, suggested this reporter.
But the MCE responded that “he is the chief of the community and they are doing galamsey in his backyard. Why is he sitting there for people to do galamsey?,” he queried.
The MCE confirmed that the embattled chief fled upon learning of the security operation and is currently being pursued.
“He ran away yesterday. Our security is looking for him. We are really pursuing him,” he stressed.
The MCE insisted that the Assembly had gathered substantial evidence and will allow investigations to run their full course.
“There are laws in this country. Before you take action against somebody, you need evidence. Now we have gathered enough and we are moving in,” he said.
Chief of Boukrom denies MCE’s galamsey accusation
But in a follow up interview with The Chronicle, Nana Breku Nda IX, strongly dismissed allegations made against him by the MCE that he was involved in illegal mining (galamsey) activities, and that he has gone into hiding following a security operation in the area.
Nana Breku Nda IX described the allegation as completely false, insisting he has neither met the MCE in person nor had any dealings with him.
“I don’t know the MCE myself and I have not gone into hiding. I am in my community and I am not running from anybody,” he stated.
The MCE, in a social media post and telephone interview with this reporter, claimed the chief had been implicated in the galamsey activities and that two of his bodyguards had been arrested. Nana Breku Nda IX, however, dismissed this assertion, saying he had no bodyguards and questioned whether the journalist had personally confirmed the information on the ground.
According to the chief, mining had been ongoing in his community for over a year before he returned from abroad in March.
He said that upon his return, he chose to engage miners publicly in order to “manage the situation responsibly”, rather than ignore the reality on the ground.
“I have no involvement with miners. I have an engagement with miners. I engaged them publicly with my community because I want them to mine responsibly and cover the pits they create,” he said.
He revealed that he has held at least three public fora with miners and community members on how to minimise environmental destruction, adding that he had also contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for guidance.
Nana Breku Nda IX said his priority is to protect the land for future generations. “My family has owned this land for over 200 years. I am not interested in politics.
“I am a divisional chief and I will not descend into the gutter with politicians. My interest is to safeguard the land for those who will come after me,” he emphasised.
He admitted requesting community support from miners, such as assistance with a school toilet facility and a water system, but maintained that no payments had been made and all discussions were held openly.
The chief challenged this journalist to visit the community and verify the situation first-hand, rather than rely on sensational claims.
“This case is very juicy for you as a journalist. If you dig a little deeper and not follow sensationalism, you will get the real story,” he said.
Nana Breku Nda IX further denied any links to large-scale mining, saying all miners in the area are small-scale, many of them local youths.
He called on the authorities to focus on the true sources of environmental destruction instead of targeting chiefs without evidence.
BELOW IS THE FACEBOOK POST THE MCE MADE ABOUT THE GALAMSEY OPERATION;
I wish to inform the good people of Ahanta West Municipal and the nation at large that yesterday our joint operation with the Regional National Security Team in Buokrom yielded significant results.
Following months of surveillance, we successfully raided galamsey sites in the area and seized 2 excavators.
The chief of the community is implicated in these activities, as we have had several complaints on him, on how he has been terrifying people in the area with Macho men with pump action guns.
Two of his bodyguards have been arrested and are currently in police custody. Security personnel are currently pursuing others who fled the scene.
We assure the people of Ahanta West that we remain committed to protecting our environment and resources, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure our Municipality remains a no go area for galamsey.
We thank the security agencies and all stakeholders for their support and cooperation in this effort, and we urge everyone to join us in this fight against galamsey.
I am AHANTA
@highlight
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The post Ahanta MCE Blows Cover Of Chief …Accuses Him Of Involvement In Galamsey; But Nana Breku Nda IX Says Accusation Is Baseless appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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