By King Amoah
Tension is reaching a breaking point in the Atiwa East District as residents finalize plans for a massive demonstration against the District Chief Executive (DCE) Ernest Ntim.
The protest which is gaining momentum by the hour is a direct response to President John Dramani Mahama’s persistent refusal to sack the DCE following his conviction for involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
A Conviction Without Consequence:
Earlier this year the Koforidua High Court found DCE Ernest Ntim liable for his deep involvement in illegal mining activities within the district.
The legal action was initiated by Blacknaked Secuity Service Company which successfully dragged the DCE to court for the destruction of their properties and environmental degradation without compensation.
Despite the court ruling, which ordered Mr. Ntim to pay a fine of GH¢120,000 and bounded him to cease all illegal activities, the DCE appears to have dodged a custodial sentence through legal negotiations.
Residents now allege that rather than showing remorse, Mr. Ntim has resumed his destruction of the environment and private property with even greater intensity than before.
Broken Promises and Presidential Silence:
The outrage in Atiwa East stems from a blatant contradiction between government rhetoric and reality.
President John Dramani Mahama has been consistently declared a national “war” on illegal mining and tasking all MMDCEs to lead the charge in eradicating the menace.
However, the residents of Atiwa East feel abandoned and betrayed by the President’s silence regarding their DCE.
We do not see the reason why President John Dramani Mahama has kept quiet as if nothing is happening in the district, Kofi Arko a resident of Gyadam asked .
Does he not hear the reports in the media? Is President John Dramani Mahama unaware of the court ruling?
We respectfully and humbly ask the President: is your galamsey fight genuine and if the answer is yes, what action are you taking against the ‘galamsey kingpin’ in our district?”
The Demand for Accountability:
The impending demonstration serves as a final plea for the President to uphold the rule of law.
Residents are questioning the moral authority of the government to fight illegal mining when a convicted public official remains at his post, allegedly perpetuating the very crimes the state claims to be fighting.
For the people of Atiwa East, the continued presence of Ntim is a mockery of the justice system and a slap in the face of the President’s own anti galamsey agenda.
We will take to the streets to express our anger,” Arko added.
We are waiting for the President to act, but if nothing happens we will be forced to advise ourselves
