By King Amoah, Our Editor-in – chief reports
While President John Dramani Mahama is championing a national crusade against the destructive menace of illegal mining known locally as galamsey, a deeply concerning narrative is emerging from the Eastern Region that threat to undermine the environmental efforts.
Reports reaching this publication indicate that some presidential appointees specifically District Chief Executives (DCEs) are not only allegedly participating in the very illegal mining activities they are mandated to combat but they are also exhibiting a disconcerting level of arrogance, prompting urgent calls for presidential intervention.
The fight against illegal mining has been a cornerstone of President Mahama’s environmental agenda aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves from the devastating impacts of unregulated mining.
However it is becoming increasingly apparent that this national aspirations are facing internal sabotage with some Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) entrusted with the implemention of the President’s directives allegedly operating illegal mining concessions.
The spotlight is now firmly on the Eastern Region where these destructive activities are reportedly flourishing under the watchful eyes of a government appointees.
Particularly disturbing are the allegations emanating from the Atiwa East District.
The District Chief Executive Ernest Opoku Ntim is accused of actively engaging in galamsey allegedly employing his own family members to manage his operations.
Sources claim that DCE Ntim’s operational headquarters are situated at Ankaase Gyadam where his two brothers Victor Ntim and Ntim Jnr along with a site supervisor one Bismark are reportedly causing significant harm to landowners and farmers.
These individuals are accused of denying rightful compensation for the damage inflicted upon their properties.
Furthermore DCE Ntim is alleged to be leveraging his political position and the name of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to shield his illegal activities.
He is reportedly displaying disrespect and daring anyone who dares to oppose his conduct within the district.
In a shocking turn of events despite his alleged involvement in the illegal mining DCE Ntim is also accused of apprehending other illegal miners and imposing heavy fines ranging from Ghc 40,000 to Ghc 600,000 before allegedly releasing their excavators.
These grave accusations are further substantiated by reports from the Atiwa East District Police Command.
It is alleged that DCE Ntim used his political influence to storm the command and secured the release of over 18 excavators that had been intercepted by an Accra Mining Task Force Team during their operations.
Intensive interviews with residents of the Atiwa East District including traditional leaders party stalwarts and opinion leaders revealed a widespread discontent.
They spoke bitterly against the conduct of DCE Ntim and are vehemently demanding his immediate removal from his position.
Further investigations have unearthed a prior inccident that lends credence to the ongoing concerns.
Reports indicate that somewhere last year the Koforidua High Court convicted the DCE Ernest Ntim and his brother Victor Ntim to an 8 day jail term each for a mining related contempt of court.
However far from heeding this judicial reprimand, further reports suggest that since his release from jail, DCE Ntim has become even more hostile.
He is alleged to have been going around seizing licenses and properties of lawful miners as he links his previous jail sentence to their supposed influence of the miners.
In response to this escalating situation a cross section of residents within the Atiwa East District are reportedly preparing for a massive demonstration against the government over the presence of the DCE Ntim in the district.
Their demand is unequivocal: the immediate removal of DCE Ntim from office.
The residents are appealing directly to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene decisively and salvage the reputation of his government and the NDC in the district before the situation deteriorates further.
Atiwa East District serves as a prominent example where laws covering galamsey are consistently abused by government appointees, similar cases are reportedly unfolding in several other district in the country.
At the Amansie Central Joy News in its recent documentary reportedly revealed how the DCE for the area Emmanuel Obeng Agyemman unlawfully used his political status to impose taxes on illegal miners and allowed them to destroy the environment
From the reports Changan owners were forced to pay Ghc3,000 whilst excavator users were also levied Ghc 6,000..
At press time the DCE was under serious probe to explain to a pannel about the source who authorized him to encourage illegal mining whereas the president has tasked the DCEs to combat the menance.
Meanwhile the call for presidential action indicates the urgent need for robust oversight and uncompromising enforcement within the government ranks to win the battle against illegal mining.
Attached pictures: Site view of the Dce,’s operational area at Ankaase Gyadam and below the Dce image and that of his site (left) and onebother having discussions at the site
- Stay tuned for further development on this issue
