The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region, Ing. Hamidu Abdallah, has denied allegations that he is involved in illegal mining, describing the claims as false and an attempt to damage his reputation.
The allegations were made by a group of Assembly Members led by Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor, Assembly Member for Akokofe, who accused the DCE of colluding with illegal miners operating in parts of the district.
The Assembly Members claimed that illegal mining was ongoing in communities including Beposo, Yaase, Adwafo, Amakom and Konkoma, and alleged that the DCE had previously denied the existence of such activities.
Ing. Abdallah strongly rejected the claims, insisting that he has never engaged in legal or illegal mining and does not own any mining concession or excavator in Bosomtwe.
He said his administration had instead been actively involved in efforts to combat illegal mining, particularly around Lake Bosomtwe, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
According to the DCE, he personally led an operation in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Security Council and the District Security Council that resulted in the seizure of five excavators and the dismantling of pumping machines.
He further said he had written to the Ashanti Regional Minister and the Minerals Commission requesting a review of mining licences within the Lake Bosomtwe enclave and the deployment of a task force to tackle illegal mining.
Ing. Abdallah has instructed his lawyers to take legal action against Nana Asare Akwasi Nyansapor, demanding that evidence supporting the allegations be produced in court.
He attributed the accusations to internal political disagreements but reaffirmed his commitment to supporting efforts to combat illegal mining and protect water bodies, farmlands and the environment in the Bosomtwe District.