Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Johnson said security personnel had maintained order in the district since Friday. He explained that any disruptions could only have arisen from the actions of MP Korkor Asante, who went ahead to commission the incomplete project despite warnings from the District Security Council (DISEC) and the police.

The facility, fully funded by GNPC, was initiated under former MP Kwasi Amoako-Atta’s tenure and is currently about 60 percent complete. According to the DCE, significant work remains before it can be officially commissioned.

“The fact that the carpet is on the field doesn’t mean the project is complete. It is one package that includes a 200-capacity facility. The contractor was not present, neither were GNPC representatives, traditional authorities, or the assembly—the true custodians of government projects,” he said.

Mr. Johnson accused the MP of sidelining key stakeholders and attempting to score political points ahead of the general election. He noted that the assembly had petitioned the Eastern Regional Minister, after which Ms. Asante agreed in a two-hour meeting to collaborate with the assembly, only to later defy the directive.

He added that all government projects are formally handed over to the assembly once completed. Commissioning without the contractor and stakeholders, he said, violated standard procedures.

“Where were the landowners? Where were the assembly members? Where was the assembly, which is the administrative head of the district? Can an MP alone run a government?” he questioned.

The DCE also rejected claims that the assembly was trying to frustrate the MP, emphasizing that the confusion was caused by her ignoring established processes.

“We have tried every means to engage her but to no avail. I don’t know whether she just wanted to attract media attention. I am just four months in office—if I had started a project the day I stepped in, it would not be ready to commission today,” he said.

Mr. Johnson assured that the assembly will only permit the official commissioning when the project is fully completed, handed over by the contractor, and all stakeholders are involved. The MP is yet to comment on the matter.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

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• Hannah Bissiw, Atiwa West DCE lead operation to arrest 10 illegal miners

• 8 illegal miners arrested, several mining equipment seized in Eastern Region operation

The arrests were made during a special operation led by the Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund, Dr. Hannah Louisa Bissiw, in collaboration with the Atiwa West District Chief Executive, Amo Johnson Anom.

The joint operation—comprising Police personnel, Immigration officers, and the Atiwa West District Taskforce—set off from the district assembly premises, fully equipped for the task.

Upon arrival, the illegal miners attempted to flee but were chased into a nearby bush where ten Ghanaians and one Nigerien national were apprehended.

The arrested suspects include Opoku Kwabena, Ebenezer Obeng, Felix Opoku, Mporumbo Manda, Kwame Baguaputie, Moses Dakura, Yaba Kudebila, Luumah Hassan, Ishmael Annor, and Armah Abubakar from Niger.

The operation was triggered by the recent drowning of a 7-year-old boy in an abandoned mining pit at Akyem-Akrofufu. The boy had reportedly gone to play near the pit when he accidentally fell in and drowned.

Dr. Bissiw expressed her distress over the incident, noting that illegal miners have now moved from the forests into communities, posing increasing dangers to residents.

“Recently, a 7-year-old boy fell into a pit. These miners have moved into communities, mining close to schools and homes. They are driving students and teachers out of the STEM school by taking over its land,” she stated.

As part of efforts to hold polluters accountable, Dr. Bissiw announced that the Minerals Development Fund will soon implement the ‘polluter pays principle’ to compel environmental offenders to bear the cost of damage they cause.

“The Atiwa West DCE shares this principle—that when you destroy the environment, you must pay for it,” she added.

Several mining equipment, including an excavator, water pumping machines, a bulldozer, and motorcycles, were seized during the operation.

DCE Amo Johnson Anom issued a stern warning to community leaders, advising them not to lobby on behalf of those arrested.

“From tomorrow, some people will start coming to our offices to plead. I’m warning everyone: don’t come. If you do, we’ll hand you over to the police,” he warned.

According to him, all ten suspects will be arraigned before court once police investigations are complete.

Source: Kofi siaw

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