The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC), the official administrative office for government business has once again been cited for the legitimization of illegal mining in the region.
The office, in a shocking move early last week facilitated the transfer of the regional security liaison officer, Enoch Amoako Nsiah to the national headquarters for swearing to stem the illegal business in the region.
Though the ARCC has refused to give official reasons for the transfer for the security capo, surprisingly, just a day after the letter of transfer was issued to the liaison officer, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) which is chaired by the Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon released some seized excavators belonging to a notorious Chinese foreign national named Asia Huang.
This action, though done clandestinely was made official as a letter written by Kofi Dwomor-Asubonteng, Regional Coordinating Director and secretary to REGSEC was leaked to the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper.
The letter, carefully written, indicated the release of four excavators and a Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicle.
Dated 16th day of August, the Coordinating Director writing under the instruction of the regional minister asked the officer in charge of the Finaso Police Station in the Obuasi Municipality to give back the seized equipment to the ‘all conquering’ Chinese national, Asia Huang.
REASONS FOR TRANSFER:
Impeccable information gleaned from sources close to the National Security Office indicates the ARCC could not countenance the unyielding stance of the former liaison officer who was said to be against the perpetuation of illegal mining.
According to the source, the actions of the former security capo was seen as inimical to the progress of the party since the ‘galamsey’ business in the region had been reserved to pay party foot-soldiers for their toil for the National Democratic Congress,(NDC).
Mr Amoako Nsiah is alleged to have deprived some party people and foreign nationals from getting access to concessions they had acquired through ARCC to conduct their illegal business.
BACKGROUND:
About six months ago, a known NDC activist named Robert Owusu Tilton in a live studio discussion at Boss 93.7 fm in Kumasi accused the Ashanti Regional Police Command for aiding the illegal activities of the Chinese national.
According to him, the police rather than stemming the devastating activity of the foreigner were aiding her to either obstruct justice by the payment of huge bribes or befriending her.
However, days after this incriminating expose, the Regional Command issued a strong rebuttal to the claims by the NDC activist, insisting the Police were ready to arrest any national or foreigner for engaging in illegal mining.
But, in a strikingly surprising revelation some weeks after, the former Ashanti Regional Minister, Peter Anarfi-Mensah in an address to the youth of the NDC at the TUC complex at Adiebeba cautioned the party to desist from engaging in indiscriminate mining.
He said the youth were spoiling arable lands and water bodies by their activity and cautioned them to refrain from getting close to water bodies.
BRIBERY ATTEMPTS:
Meanwhile, Mr Amoako Nsiah, the former liaison officer is said to have parried off many bribery attempts by both party people and foreign nationals.
This, according our source infuriated some party people and some persons working closely to the REGSEC who ganged up and ensured his transfer was activated through the hand of Yaw Donkor, the National Security Boss.
