Bosomtwe DCE Threatens Legal Action Over Illegal Mining Allegations

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region, Ing. Hamidu Abdallah, has threatened to sue Assembly Members who have accused him of involvement in illegal mining activities.

A group of Assembly Members alleged that the DCE was colluding with illegal miners, claiming that galamsey activities had destroyed farmlands and water bodies in parts of the district.

The petitioners, led by Akokofe Assembly Member Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor, named Beposo, Yaase, Adwafo, Amakom and Konkoma among communities affected by the alleged activities.

They further alleged that Ing. Abdallah financially benefited from illegal mining and accused him of denying the existence of galamsey in the district until a regional task force seized five excavators.

The Assembly Members have threatened to petition President John Dramani Mahama and push for a vote of no confidence in the DCE.

However, Ing. Abdallah has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as false, baseless and an attempt to tarnish his reputation.

He said he has never been involved in legal or illegal mining and has no concession or excavator in Bosomtwe.

According to the DCE, his administration has been leading efforts to combat illegal mining, particularly around the buffer zones of Lake Bosomtwe, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

He said the recent operation that resulted in the seizure of five excavators and the dismantling of pumping machines was carried out under his leadership in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the District Security Council (DISEC).

Ing. Abdallah questioned how he could lead an operation to seize excavators while allegedly owning the same equipment.

He further explained that he personally led a team to investigate reports of illegal mining near Lake Bosomtwe and subsequently wrote to the Regional Minister and Minerals Commission to block mining licences within the enclave and deploy a task force.

The DCE has now instructed his lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor, challenging him to provide evidence of the allegations in court.

Ing. Abdallah attributed the accusations to internal politics and alleged that some Assembly Members were frustrated after their attempts to secure mining favours in the district were blocked.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Mahama’s efforts to end illegal mining and protect the environment, water bodies and farmlands in the Bosomtwe District.