The Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region is facing a serious crisis following accusations leveled against District Chief Executive (DCE), Ing. Hamidu Abdallah, by Assembly Members. A group of members of the District Assembly has formally accused the DCE of involvement in illegal mining activities, significantly impacting the livelihoods of communities in the area. The accusations stem from reports of widespread land destruction and water body contamination in Beposo, Yaase, Adwafo, Amakom, and Konkoma, leaving families struggling to earn a living.
According to the Assembly Members, the DCE’s actions are directly linked to the ongoing illegal mining operations, which they allege are being conducted without proper regulation and oversight. Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor, leading the petitioners, stated that the DCE benefits financially from these activities, a claim that has ignited a firestorm within the community. The Assembly Members claim that the DCE has consistently denied the existence of illegal mining until a regional task force, led by the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the District Security Council (DISEC), seized five excavators, marking the first significant response to the allegations. The Assembly Members also alleged that the recent crackdown, including the dismantling of pumping machines and the placement of a task force, was initiated under the DCE’s leadership.
The District Chief Executive, Ing. Hamidu Abdallah, vehemently denies all allegations, describing them as ‘false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.’ He maintains that he has never been involved in any form of illegal mining, stating that he has no concession, excavator, or connection to the illegal mining operations in Bosomtwe. He further asserted that his administration has been at the forefront of combating illegal mining, particularly focusing on the buffer zones of Lake Bosomtwe, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and has initiated a task force to block all mining licenses and deploy a security team. The Assembly was duly informed of these actions and the Presiding Member and key stakeholders were part of a meeting following the operation. The DCE stated that the Assembly was kept in the dark regarding the operation, which is factually incorrect.
Reacting to the accusations, Ing. Abdallah asserted that allegations of illegal mining leveled against him are ‘never forgiven’ and he has instructed his legal team to file a defamation lawsuit against the petitioners, Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor. The DCE further stated that he will instruct his legal team to pursue a lawsuit to compel the accuser to provide evidence of his involvement in these activities before the court.
The accusations have understandably triggered concern among stakeholders, including political analysts. Tolon election violence suspect, Tonol, has been declared a Youth Organizer by the NPP, intensifying the debate surrounding the situation. This incident underscores the potential for internal political tensions and the impact on public trust, particularly in the sensitive Bosomtwe District.”
This situation highlights the complexities of environmental protection and the importance of robust regulatory oversight within the mining sector. The allegations have the potential to severely impact the livelihoods of families reliant on the area’s natural resources, and the legal ramifications of the accusations could be significant.
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Source: Adom Online
