By King Amoah, Kumasi
In a strong affirmation that the law is no respecter of persons, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atiwa East in the EasternRegion Ernest Owusu Ntim has been sentenced to eight days imprisonment for his active involvement in illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey.
His junior brother Bismark Ntim who was alleged to be the DCE’s frontman in the illicit operations also received a one week jail term.
The verdict, delivered by the Koforidua High Court Two presided over by Justice George Krofa on Monday December 15,2025 serves as a significant blow to illegal mining practices in the region and a stark reminder that even public officials are not above the law.
According to court proceedings the prosecution explained that DCE Ernest Owusu Ntim was implicated in an active engagement in illegal mining at Ankaase Gyadam one of the communities within his district.
He was found to have utilized his family members including Bismark Ntim as frontmen to carry out these operations.
The court heard that these illegal mining activities that have been orchestrated by the DCE have resulted in a widespread destruction of vital properties including valuable lands and cocoa farms without any form of compensation being paid to the affected landowners and farmers.
Furthermore it was revealed that Mr Ntim allegedly used his position as DCE to intimidate local residents.
Besides he was also falsely claiming that his activities were officially sanctioned and denying any personal involvement in galamsey within the district.
However during the trial evidence that emerged indicated that several mining concessions at Ankaase Gyadam explicitly bore the name of the DCE and directly linking him to the destructive operations in the area.
In delivering the sentence Justice George Krofa expressed his disappointment over the DCE’s conduct.
He underscored the gravity of the situation especially at a time when the country and for that matter President John Dramani Mahama are making efforts to discourage illegal mining in the country.
Justice Krofa critically observed that the DCE acted with impunity emphasizing that Mr. Ntim was fully aware of his detrimental role as a game player in the illegal mining activities that have been plaguing the district.
The jailing of the Atiwa East DCE sends a clear message about the judiciary’s resolve to tackle illegal mining regardless of the perpetrator’s status or influence amidst the ongoing national effort to protect the environment and natural resources.
