The Chief of Asaman Tamfoe in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, Osabarima Kwame Koh, has strongly refuted claims linking the District Chief Executive (DCE), Ernest Owusu Ntim, to illegal mining activities.
The DCE, recently nominated by the President, was accused by a known galamsey kingpin from Ankaase of engaging in illegal mining. However, both the Chief and residents have dismissed the allegation as a smear campaign intended to discredit Mr Ntim and derail his efforts to fight galamsey in the district.
“The DCE is the one leading the fight against galamsey in this area. These accusations are coming from illegal miners who feel threatened by his appointment,” Osabarima Kwame Koh stated.
“You can ask any farmer around—he is not involved in illegal mining. This is blackmail.”
The chief called on state security to take action against the accuser, whom he described as a known illegal miner notorious for forcibly taking over farmlands and destroying crops such as cocoa, cassava, and palm under the cover of night.
“He has taken over about 13 hectares of farmland already, claiming the lands belong to the Chief of Ankaase. But we know the truth. He must be made to face the law,” he added.
According to local farmers, the miner’s activities have caused significant environmental destruction, and his aggression toward landowners has created fear among vulnerable farming communities.
Over the weekend, tensions flared when affected farmers confronted the said miner as he degraded large acres of farmland. The confrontation nearly escalated into violence, with the miner allegedly threatening the farmers with mayhem.
Nana Adae Frimpong Manso, the Nifahene of Asaman Tamfoe, confirmed the miner’s activities, revealing that his own farm, as well as those of his relatives, have been destroyed.
“We reported the matter to the police. His accomplices were arrested briefly but released the same day. Up till now, the kingpin himself is walking free,” he said.
Osabarima Kwame Koh warned that he is considering legal action against the miner for invading his jurisdiction and destroying vast tracts of farmland. He insists that the court case brought by the miner against the DCE is part of a calculated attempt to silence efforts to clamp down on illegal mining in the district.
“What he’s doing is to blackmail the DCE so he won’t be able to act against him. But we won’t allow that,” the chief declared. “We stand with the DCE and will support him to deal with the situation decisively.”
The community continues to demand swift action from law enforcement to protect farmlands and uphold the rule of law.
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